September 4, 2014 – Whitehorse, Yukon – Employment and Social Development Canada
On behalf of the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, and Elaine Taylor, Yukon Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, announced today the signing of the full agreement for the Canada Job Fund, which includes the creation of the Canada Job Grant, with the Government of Yukon.
Through the Canada Job Fund, the Government of Canada will provide $500 million annually to the provinces and territories for investments in skills training. Under the Canada–Yukon Job Fund Agreement, Yukon will receive a total of $1 million per year: $500,000—its per capita share of the available funding— plus $500,000 in supplementary funding to recognize the distinct labour market needs of the territories. This is a 100% increase in annual funding to Yukon compared to the original agreement.
The Canada Job Fund includes the creation of the Canada Job Grant. 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 invest in their people, the Canada Job Grant will result in training that leads to guaranteed jobs.
To learn more, visit: www.education.gov.yk.ca.
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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Mark Hill
Director, Community Relations & Engagement
Yukon Department of Education
867-332-5082
mark.hill@gov.yk.ca
Elaine Schiman
Director, Cabinet Communications
Government of Yukon
867-633-7961
elaine.schiman@gov.yk.ca
Canada–Yukon Job Fund
The Labour Market Agreements, created in 2007, are being transformed into the new Canada Job Fund agreements to ensure greater employer involvement in training. Nationally, the Government of Canada will continue to provide $500 million annually to the provinces and territories for investments in skills training through the Canada Job Fund. Yukon will receive a total of $1 million per year: $500,000—its per capita share of the available funding—plus $500,000 in supplementary funding to recognize the distinct labour market needs of the territories.
The Canada–Yukon Job Fund will be implemented in stages over four years. The fund is comprised of three program streams:
The Canada Job Grant is used by employers to pay for training, tuition and materials. This program stream is available to accept applications.
Employment Services and Supports will continue to provide the services offered under the previous Labour Market Agreement. This program stream gives priority to unemployed or low-skilled individuals who need support to enter the labour market. This program stream is available to accept applications.
Employer-Sponsored Training is similar to the Canada Job Grant: employers determine the nature of the training and who is to receive it. There is now a broader scope for training activities and costs, intended to provide additional diverse training opportunities previously unavailable under the Canada Job Grant. This program stream is under development.
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 employers with up to $10,000 for training costs for an individual worker, including tuition and training materials. Employers will be required to contribute on average one-third of the total costs of training.
By 2017–18, a total of approximately $300 million per year will be invested nationally in 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 funds short-duration training provided by eligible third-party trainers, including community colleges, career colleges, trade union centres and private trainers. The training can be provided in a classroom, on site at a workplace or online.
All 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. Small businesses may 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. Select crown corporations may also access training funds through the Canada Job Grant in Yukon.
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.
