About the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program
The Workforce Retention and Retraining Program helps employers retain workers, avoid layoffs and adapt to changing economic conditions. Through a single employer-facing program, employers can access flexible Work-Sharing measures, employee training supports, and funding to help offset training and administrative costs.
Whether facing economic pressures, adopting new technologies, retooling operations or pursuing new opportunities, employers can access integrated supports with the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program that will help them adapt while keeping their skilled workers employed.
The Workforce Retention and Retraining Program includes enhanced worker retention flexibilities, income support top-ups for employees participating in training outside of work hours and up to $1,000 per participant to help employers cover training and administrative costs.
Active agreements remain in effect. Employers with an active agreement do not need to submit a new application. Active agreement holders will continue to receive existing supports while also being eligible for the new retention and retraining supports under the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program, where applicable.
On this page
- For employers
- Workforce Retention and Retraining Program
- For employees
- How the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program assists employees
- Employer training information
- Find targeted training opportunities for your business
For employers
The Workforce Retention and Retraining Program provides employers with integrated workforce retention and retraining supports through a single application pathway.
Through the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program, eligible employers can access Workforce Retention Supports to help retain workers during periods of economic adjustment.
They can also access Workforce Retraining Supports to help their employees develop new skills and maintain a greater share of their earnings during periods of reduced work.
Employers may also receive Retraining Supports for up to $1,000 per participant to help offset eligible training and administrative costs, while eligible employees can receive additional income support when participating in approved training.
For employees
The Workforce Retention and Retraining Program helps employees avoid layoffs providing income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced workweek while their employer's business recovers. The Workforce Retention and Retraining Program - Retraining Grant helps maintain employees' income by keeping their earnings closer to their normal wages throughout the duration of the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program - Work-Sharing agreement while participating in eligible training.
Employer training information
Learn more about potential training opportunities for your business.