Worker Retention Grant for Work-Sharing Employers

Build skills, build stability, build the future

The Worker Retention Grant gives Work-Sharing employers a powerful new way to invest in your people. Your employees will gain valuable skills, your workforce will be strengthened for the future, and you will make the most of Work‑Sharing.

Why this grant matters

The Work-Sharing Program helps employers deal with temporary work shortages without laying off employees.

By participating in Work-Sharing:

• employers benefit from retaining skilled employees and avoiding the expense of hiring and training when work returns to normal; and
• employees benefit from avoiding layoffs; maintaining their work skills and labour market connections while receiving EI benefits, as eligible, for the days not worked

With the new Worker Retention Grant (in place until March 31, 2027), Work-Sharing employers can go one step further and offer meaningful training opportunities during non‑working days, and provide income top-ups to employees who take this training. This will enhance building a strong workforce and engagement in upskilling as Work-Sharing employers navigate a period of change.

Training that is required to be eligible for the Worker Retention Grant

The Grant's design takes a flexible approach to defining eligible training offerings, taking into consideration that employers need to choose training most relevant to their business operations. Reflecting the unique needs of the business and the workers participating in Work-Sharing, eligible training offerings can be provided using an online format, in person or part-time, and through flexible formats such as facilitator-led and/or peer-to-peer training provided in the workplace during non-work hours.

Examples of eligible training include:

• supporting skills development specific to an employer's operations
• widely applicable foundational skills such as digital and AI literacy, workplace safety, linguistic proficiency, problem-solving and numeracy
• informal training such as on-the-job training and peer-to-peer knowledge transfer that builds meaningful skills and knowledge that could be valuable for professional growth

An employer can work with their employees, unions if applicable, and provincial/territorial representatives to identify appropriate training. Further resources, including access to low and no-cost training options, can be found on Training options for employers.

The costs that may be associated with the design and/or delivery of training are not eligible under this grant. However, employers can self-fund relevant training for their workers and they may also be able to draw on other financial support for training, including recent investments under the Workforce Tarrif Response to provide training and employment supports to workers affected by tariffs.

To be eligible for the Worker Retention Grant, an employer must:

• be eligible for the Work‑Sharing program
• have an approved and implemented Work‑Sharing agreement in place
• commit to fostering training opportunities for EI Work-Sharing eligible employees
• attest to fostering access to training opportunities and provide details on his approach, ensuring that training is offered for at least 40% of the grant agreement period (for example a minimum of 15 weeks of training offerings for a 38‑week agreement)
• if requesting an extension to the Work-Sharing agreement beyond 38 weeks, re‑commit to providing training in a similar proportion for the period of the extension
• declare any amounts owing and in default to the Government of Canada

How to apply

Organizations that believe they meet the eligibility criteria and wish to be considered for the Grant may email edsc.dgop.dmpj.smet-wrg.wdy.pob.esdc@servicecanada.gc.ca with their responses to the screening questions listed below:

• organization name
• contact information (email and phone number)
• Work-Sharing agreement number
• attest to fostering access to training opportunities and provide details on approach
• indicate (yes or no) any amounts owed and in default to the Government of Canada

Next steps

Your email containing the complete responses to the questions under ''How to apply'' will serve as your formal application, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. Eligible applicants will be contacted to provide any additional required information.