Sources of Assistance

4.2 Canadian federal ON-SITE / À LA SOURCE professional employment assistance program

This program is mentioned separately because it gives low-cost professional help to companies that want to address process issues such as energy efficiency improvements, yet lack the resources to do that.

The Government of Canada’s ON-SITE/À LA SOURCE program, sponsored by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, is an industry-government partnership that:

• Provides job experience to unemployed professionals; and
• Helps employers address key environmental, energy and quality management challenges.

ON-SITE places qualified, unemployed professionals “on staff” but not “on salary.” While working, they continue to draw unemployment insurance benefits and have access to training and technical support. At the end of an employee’s ON-SITE term, which is usually six months, the employer has an option, but not an obligation, to hire the individual. Participating employers are requested to contribute up to $100 per week of their ON-SITE worker’s term to defray the cost of the program, borne by the sponsor and the Employment Insurance Section 25 Job Creation Program.

The ON-SITE/À LA SOURCEl program is a “win-win” solution because:

• Employees contribute with their professional work experience and help project implementation while gaining new knowledge in a salary-free fashion;
• Employers get the job done at minimal expense because they need not add to staffing levels. They will also glean useful information and knowledge from the professionals and have a risk-free chance to evaluate their work should they want to eventually hire the persons.