Objective

The Community-Based, Skills Maintenance Program is designed to support projects that provide meaningful work experience to insured participants.

The Program supports projects that will help insured participants enhance their employability skills through work experience. It is anticipated that the work experience will increase the participants’ opportunities to secure employment.

Program Details

Eligibility

• A member of Six Nations of the Grand River.
• A qualified “E.I. insured participant”.
• Registered with Grand River Employment and Training.

Criteria

• Each project must be finite in nature with a start and end date and consist of activities that are incremental to the sponsor’s normal operations.
• It is encouraged that employers offer the client ongoing employment once the project is completed.
• It is expected that project activities will benefit both the insured participant and Six Nations community.
• Programs and Services Officers must refer participants to the project coordinator and ensure prior notification to the EI office.
• In regards to active EI claimants, the income from employment is considered to be non-insurable (that is, participants do not qualify for EI insurance benefits on the basis of their participation in the project) and is not considered to be earnings from employment for the purposes of the EI Act, the Income Tax Act and the Canada Pension Plan.

Budget

EI

Duration

Projects will normally last between a minimum of six (6) weeks and up to maximum of fifty-two (52) weeks.

Program Supports

• Participants who are receiving EI benefits will continue to receive E.I. benefits, in place of wages, if they have been referred under section 25 of the EI Act. Active EI participants may be enhanced up to the level of maximum insurance benefits rates.
• The employer may “top-up” the participants wage income, if the enhanced E.I. is less than the prevailing wage rate associated with the job. The total amount paid to a participant may not exceed the prevailing wage rate in the area for the occupation.
• An EI reach back participant will receive training allowance and supplementary allowance, in lieu of wages from the employer.
• Special costs related to persons with disabilities may be provided, when required.

Employers, Sponsors & Training Partners

Eligible Program Sponsors

Six Nations businesses and organizations including profit and not-for-profit and government departments. Project sponsors must have:
• A Revenue Canada Taxation number.
• Proper bookkeeping practices and policies in place.
• Health and safety policies and practices in place.
• Third party liability or WSIB coverage.

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