September 26, 2014 – Toronto, Ontario – Employment and Social Development Canada
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and the Honourable Reza Moridi, Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, today announced that Ontario is now accepting employer applications for the Canada Job Grant and are encouraging employers to apply.
The Canada Job Grant is an innovative, employer-driven approach to help Canadians gain the skills and training they need to fill available jobs. It is designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. By requiring employers to put more skin in the game, the Canada Job Grant will result in training that leads to guaranteed jobs.
The Canada Job Grant will provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials, which includes up to $10,000 in federal contributions. By providing the right mix of in-class training and on-the-job experience through organizations like career colleges, graduates will have the skills employers need.
Effective immediately, employers in Ontario can apply for the Canada Job Grant by visiting the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ website. The Ontario Government is also launching Expressions of Interest for two pilot projects to test new approaches to employer-driven training. Employers interested in participating in these pilot projects should also contact the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
Alexandra Fortier
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Zak Paget
Office of Minister Moridi
416-326-1625
May Nazar
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities – Communications Branch
416-325-2746
Public enquiries: 416-325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514
TTY: 1-800-268-7095
Canada-Ontario Job Fund Agreement
The Labour Market Agreements, created in 2007, are being transformed into the new Canada-Ontario Job Fund Agreement to ensure greater employer involvement in training. Ontario will receive over $191 million per year through the Canada Job Fund Agreement each year.
Canada Job Grant
The Canada Job Grant will help Canadians get the training they need for available jobs and put skills training decisions in the hands of employers. It will provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials, which includes up to $10,000 in government contributions. Employers will be required to contribute on average one-third of the total costs of training.
Once fully implemented, the Government of Canada will provide over $115 million annually to the Province of Ontario for the Canada Job Grant. The Canada Job Grant will be delivered by the Province of Ontario.
By 2017–18, over $300 million per year will be invested in employer-sponsored training, which includes the Canada Job Grant.
The provinces and territories will have full flexibility on the source of funds for the Canada Job Grant. They may be sourced from provincial/territorial allocations under the Canada Job Fund, the Labour Market Development Agreements or provincial/territorial sources.
The Canada Job Grant will be for short-duration training provided by an eligible third-party trainer, such as community colleges, career colleges, trade union centres and private trainers. Training can be provided in a classroom, on site at a workplace or online.
Private and not-for-profit businesses with a plan to train Canadians for a new or better job will be eligible to apply for a Canada Job Grant, once implemented.
The Canada Job Grant will be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. Small businesses will benefit from flexible arrangements, such as the potential to count wages as part of the employer contribution. This will help ensure that all businesses, regardless of size, can fully participate in the Canada Job Grant.
The Canada Job Grant will ensure that employers participate meaningfully as partners in the skills training system, sharing in the associated costs. This will ensure that training is better aligned with job opportunities, particularly in sectors facing skills mismatches and labour shortages.
The Canada Job Grant is strongly supported by employers and other stakeholders including:
- The Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO;
- National Association of Career Colleges;
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business;
- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters;
- Canadian Construction Association;
- Information Technology Association of Canada;
- Canadian Welding Bureau;
- Engineers Canada;
- Progressive Contractors Association;
- Christian Labour Association of Canada;
- Canadian Home Builders’ Association;
- Canadian Shipowners Association;
- Canadian Electricity Association;
- Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating;
- Merit Canada;
- Polytechnics Canada;
- Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada;
- Chemistry Industry Association of Canada; and
- Aerospace Industry Association of Canada.
The Government of Ontario is also launching Expressions of Interest (EOI) for two pilot projects with funding provided by the Government of Canada. Once the Government of Ontario receives input from businesses through the EOI process, the design of the pilot projects will be finalized and businesses and sector organizations will be invited to participate in the pilot projects themselves. For more information, please visit www.ontario.ca/employeetraining.
