Job Creation Partnerships (JCP)

Overview of the Job Creation Partnerships (JCP) program:

The JCP Program is a Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA)-funded initiative, administered by Employment Nova Scotia (ENS) under the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration. It supports not-for-profit, community-benefiting projects that give EI-eligible individuals opportunities to gain incremental and relevant work experience. The program’s core goal is to enhance participants’ employability by engaging them in temporary, skills-building jobs that are distinct from the sponsor’s regular operations. Projects must be finite in nature, not-for-profit, and must not displace existing workers or create competitive advantages for private entities. Eligible project sponsors include: Non-profit organizations Municipalities Indigenous Band/Tribal Councils Educational institutions Public health organizations Federal and Provincial Crown Corporations Individuals and businesses (under certain conditions) Participants may receive financial assistance (non-insurable income support), and employers may provide wage top-ups. Sponsors must offer supervision, mentorship, and reporting. Special consideration is given to equitable hiring, especially for underrepresented groups such as Mi’kmaq, African Nova Scotians, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and women. The program is administered through the LaMPSS portal, where eligible organizations can apply, submit documents, and report on project progress and finances.

Benefits of the Job Creation Partnerships (JCP) program:

• Provides hands-on work experience to improve employability
• Supports community-benefiting projects not part of regular operations
• Enables upskilling and return-to-work pathways for EI-eligible individuals
• Sponsors may receive funding for:
• Admin and overhead costs
• Job coaching and supervision
• Disability supports and adaptive tech
• Emphasizes equity hiring for underrepresented populations
• No employer/employee relationship required; province maintains participant insurance
• Part-time options available for persons with disabilities

Eligibility criteria of the Job Creation Partnerships (JCP) program:

• Sponsor Eligibility:
• Must be legally operating in Nova Scotia
• Must register in LaMPSS and comply with program guidelines
• Must submit project proposals with clear outcomes and budget
• Participant Eligibility:
• Must be EI-eligible, defined as:
• Current EI recipient
• Received EI Emergency Response Benefits in the past 60 months
• Ended an EI claim in the past 60 months
• Worked with at least $2,000 in gross insurable earnings in 5 of the last 10 years
• Must have a Return to Work Action Plan (RTWAP) supporting the occupational goal
• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident legally entitled to work
• Family Hiring Policy:
• Permitted only under fair process, including:
• Job posting and advertising
• Interviews and rationale for hiring
• Priority for equity-seeking groups