Clone of Skills Development Placement Program (SDPP) Participant Application

Skills Development Placement Program (SDPP) Participant Application
To save your draft application to continue working on it at a later time, please select "Save" at the bottom of this page - you can select "skip creating account" and input your email address. If you have a Jotform account your application will be saved in your 'drafts'. You will receive an email from Jotform with a link to access it and complete it at a later time. Please monitor your junk folder for this. You can also click to 'get draft link' to copy the link and save it in your bookmarks. To avoid losing your progress, do not exit the page until you have either saved the link to your bookmarks or have received the e-mail.

To send your draft application to IION to review- please hit "submit" at the bottom of the page. The application will be sent directly to IION. You will also receive a confirmation email, please keep this for your records!

IION will review one draft before your final submission - you will receive written feedback via email. You will then be able to edit your application through the email from Jotform.
While completing this application please note:
The Skills Development Placement Program (SDPP) is a placement program that involves experiential learning for participants interested in innovation. If selected, you will be required to complete the following mandatory components:
- A paid 16-week work placement (working 37.5 hours/week). The innovative company and participant must be located within one of IION's districts: Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound or Muskoka.
- Four mandatory virtual workshops (live on Zoom):
  - Monday, May 4- 8:30am-12:30pm
  - Thursday, July 9- 8:30am-11:30am (Emotional Intelligence)
  - Thursday, July 16- 8:30am-11:30am (Critical Thinking)
  - Friday August 21-8:30am-11:30am
- 3-day in-person retreat (accommodations and meals are provided by IION) Monday-Wednesday, June 8th, 9th, 10th at the Canadian Ecology Center (CEC) in Mattawa. (*Retreat location is tentative, based on the CEC/Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park reopening date, alternative location is Nipissing University, North Bay)
• The deadline for applications is April 10, 2026. Both Companies and Participants must apply to the program.
• Participants must have a company match by April 10, 2026, to move on to the selection committee.
• This is a competitive program. All matches are subject to a competitive review process.
I understand that the level of completeness and effort put forth in this application will be considered during the competitive review process. This is a competitive program; I understand incomplete applications will not be accepted.*

I Agree
Participant Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityProvince

Postal Code
Placement Information

Like any learning program, the more you put into the program, the more you get out of it. SDPP requires commitment through the workshops and innovation retreat that are designed to bolster your personal and professional development. The program will involve self-direction for meeting deadlines and engaging with the course materials and content.
In detail, what is motivating you to apply for this program? Please be sure to speak to what you hope to gain from the job experience. *
In detail, please outline what you hope to gain from the professional development experience. (Innovation retreat, critical thinking and emotional intelligence workshops etc)*
Please select ONE of the following questions and answer in detail, in any format you'd like (written, PowerPoint, video, Canva etc). Get as creative as you wish but make sure to answer all aspects of the one question you choose. Your answer must accompany your application*

What qualities and or skills do you believe make a good leader and team member? Which of these qualities or skills do you wish to personally expand on?What do innovation and collaboration mean to you? How would you encourage innovation and collaboration in the workplace?Why do you believe innovation is important to the economic development of Northern Ontario? What barriers to innovation do you believe companies in the North face?
Type your answer to your selected question here OR type "see attachment" if you choose to submit your answer in the form of a PowerPoint, video etc. *
If you choose to submit your answer in the form of a PowerPoint, video etc. upload it here.

Cancelof
Matching
Matching with a Company:
- If you have ALREADY been approached by a company for this program, please note them on your application. IION will consider this a match once both applications are received.
- If you DO NOT have a company match, the DEADLINE is still April 10th 2026, to be matched with a company. Once IION receives your application, it will be put into the SDPP database and forwarded to companies that may be looking for a candidate with your skill sets. If a company is interested in interviewing you for a position, they will contact you directly. It is not guaranteed that a company match will be found.
Do you have a local innovative company that you would like to be placed with?*

YesNo
Name of Company:*
Please upload your resume here. *

Cancelof
If you DO NOT have a company match, please answer the following question: The IION region covers the districts of Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound & Muskoka. Do you have a specific city or town within these regions you would like to be placed?
Terms and Conditions

Checking the boxes below will indicate that you understand and agree to the statement:
I am 18 years of age or older, and legally entitled to work in Canada.*

I Agree
I understand that it is mandatory for me to participate in 4 virtual personal/professional development workshops which will be delivered on Zoom as well as a 3 day in-person retreat at the Canadian Ecology Center in Mattawa, or Nipissing University North Bay (accommodations and meals provided). I understand that these will be considered paid time by my employer. Monday May 4- 8:30am-12:30pm, Thursday July 9- 8:30am-11:30am, Thursday July 16- 8:30am-11:30am, Friday August 21-8:30am-11:30am, 3-day in-person retreat Monday-Wednesday, June 8th, 9th, and 10th.*

I Agree
I understand that I must stay onsite, in the provided, private accommodations at the Canadian Ecology Center in Mattawa, or Nipissing University North Bay for the full 3-day innovation retreat June 8-10th.*

I Agree
I understand that no drugs or alcohol are permitted at any time during the 3-day retreat.*

I Agree
I understand that I must complete a full-time placement with a company (37.5 hours/week for 16weeks).*

I Agree
I agree to complete the final SDPP survey and any other correspondence throughout the 16-weeks.*

I Agree
I understand that I must get myself to the Canadian Ecology Center in Mattawa, or Nipissing University North Bay for the Innovation Retreat.*

I Agree
I understand that as an adult I am responsible for my own safety and behaviour. I will be respectful of the facility, its other guests, and IION’s facilitators and conduct myself in a professional manner.*

I Agree
Participants’ signature acknowledges the understanding that they are applying to an experiential placement that has a series of mandatory activities and that successful completion of the placement is conditional upon the submission of the requested
surveys/reports and participation in the personal/professional development activities.

The Participant acknowledges that they will be an employee of the SME and act in a professional manner during the contract. Any issues or concerns that come up related to their work experience must be directed to their company employer. Any issues, technical support or concerns related to the personal/professional development activities must be directed to IION.

The Participant agrees that the IION-SDPP placement shall commence on May 4, 2026, and is to be completed between August 21 and August 28th, 2026.

The amount of $7,800 that is being provided to the employer as a wage subsidy was calculated based on a $13/hour rate. The employer will be contributing the additional $4.60/hour (at minimum) to meet the provincial minimum wage of $17.60/hour, plus the Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs).

IION will disburse the funds to the Company and the Participant will receive a wage from the SME. The amount of $17.60/hour ($10,560 in regular hourly wages) is the minimum the Participant can be paid during the 16-week period. This is a gross amount before source deductions of income tax, CPP and EI. The Company may choose to compensate the Participant at a higher rate but acknowledges that IION will not be responsible for any contract changes negotiated between the Company and the Participant, further costs or MERCs resulting from these changes.

The Participant further acknowledges that IION accepts no responsibility for the Company expectations of performance provided under this agreement. It is the Company’s responsibility to ensure that the work is done to the quality and standards it expects and to coach the Participant to reach these goals. The responsibility of IION is to issue the approved wage supplement payments to the Company as previously described and provide professional development training to the Participant.

The Participant agrees that IION may use photos of them, quotes, or their testimonials for the purpose of IION-SDPP promotion.

The Participant agrees to comply with all federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and other applicable laws governing the Participant or the Participant’s activity, or both, including but not limited to, statutes, regulations, by-laws, rules, ordinances, and decrees. This includes legal requirements and regulations relating to environmental protection.
I have read, understand and agree to the above conditions. I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. If this application leads to approval, I understand that false or misleading information in my application may result in removal from the program.*

Yes, I understand
Please type your name as your signature *
Should be Empty:

Skills Development Placement Program (SDPP) Participant Application

While completing this application please note:

Participant Information

Placement Information

Matching

Terms and Conditions