As a business owner, you may have come across a time where you thought, “it would be great if my employee could learn this new and growing industry skill for our company,” and reasonably so. As our work culture shifts due to changing demographics, new technologies, and globalization, so does the need to learn and train new skills.

Luckily, the government of Canada provides many opportunities for both employers and employees to grow their skillsets through training grant programs. Take a look below to see what kind of programs are offered in each province and whether you qualify for them.

Ontario

The Canada-Ontario Job Grant Program allows employers to invest in their current and new workforce by providing business owners with a grant for short-term training. All training must be delivered by a third-party trainer with relevant education and experience.

To be eligible, you must be:

  • Licensed to operate your business in Ontario
  • Applying to train an Ontario resident whose training will be delivered in Ontario and is related to a job located in Ontario

Note that business consulting services are ineligible for this funding.

 

Alberta

With the Canada-Alberta Job Grant, employers can be covered up to two-thirds of the cost of training an employee. Training must be relevant to the current needs of the business and can either be pre-apprenticeship programs or academic courses. Trainees must spend at least 21 hours, start within 6 months of approval, complete within 52 weeks of the start date, and have a record of completion.

To be eligible, you must be:

  • A private business, non-profit organization, or Sole-Proprietorship
  • Operating with an established production capability

Your trainees must be:

  • A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
  • Living in Alberta
  • Unemployed or a current employee

British Columbia

The B.C. Employer Training Grant Program supports skill training programs by reimbursing between 60% to 100% of the training costs through third-party training. Priority is given to first-time applicants, small businesses, and applicants from disadvantaged regions.

To be eligible, you must be:

  • A private business, non-profit organization, or an Indigenous government
  • Fully operational for at least one year within B.C.
  • Working with a trainer who delivers training as a main business activity

Your trainees must be:

  • A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
  • Unemployed or a current employee

Diploma, degree, or maintenance training are ineligible with this grant as well as service-related training such as coaching, mentorships, and conferences.

 

Manitoba

The Canada-Manitoba Job Grant provides up to $10,000 in reimbursement fees to employers for third-party training-related costs. Training costs can include tuition fees, examination or software fees, and travel costs.

To be eligible, you must be:

  • A private business, non-profit organization, or First Nation
  • A Municipal Government or Union Hall

Your trainee must be:

  • A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • A full-time, part-time, or seasonal employee of your business
  • Working in Manitoba (but may reside in another province)

Atlantic Canada

Provinces within Atlantic Canada offer two training-related grant programs. In New Brunswick, the Labour Force Grant provides 25-50% of training cost funding through reimbursements for employees training to develop or improve work-related skills.

To be eligible, you must be:

  • A private business, non-profit organization, or First Nations applicant
  • Operating within New Brunswick

Your trainees must be:

  • Either currently employed with your business or potential employees who require training
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada and working in N.B. permanently

The Workplace Skills Training in Prince Edward Island funds up to 50% of the direct training cost. Training must be short-term and job-related.

To be eligible, you must be:

  • A private-sector business or band/tribal council
  • An organization acting on behalf of a group of employers

Saskatchewan

The Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy is a temporary program that allows employers to receive a 100% reimbursement of approved training costs. The training must be provided by a Saskatchewan third-party not affiliated with the employer and provide support to maintain business activities.

To be eligible, you must be:

  • A private business or non-profit organization

Your trainees must be:

  • A Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a valid SIN number
  • An existing employee of the employer applicant

Quebec

The Manpower Training Measure is currently the only program available in Quebec for training grants. Vocational training, short-term university courses, and language courses are all eligible programs to help enter the labour market.

To be eligible you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Have stopped being a full-time student at least 24 months ago
  • Be at risk of being unemployed for a long time because of a lack of training

Territories

In Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon, training grant programs are available to those who are looking to get job-related skills. Training for these programs must be provided by a third-party trainer, such as universities, private trainers, and trade union training centres.

Eligible trainees must be:

  • A Canadian citizen and living within said territory as applicable to their grant program
  • An existing employee of the employer applicant, unemployed, or future employee of the business

Now that you know if you qualify for these grants, stay tuned for the next blog on how to apply!