October 24, 2014– Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development
The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and the Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour for British Columbia, announced today that employers in British Columbia can now apply for the Canada Job Grant, an innovative, employer-driven approach to help Canadians gain the skills they need for available jobs.
The Canada Job Grant 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 for British Columbians.
The Canada Job Grant will provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials (up to $10,000 from the federal government and $5,000 from employers). For details on how to apply for the Canada Job Grant, please visit: www.workbc.ca/canadabcjobgrant.
The Canada Job Grant is part of the $65 million Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement provided by the Government of Canada. While the Grant will help employers and employees get the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow, the Fund will also ensure training programs exist to give vulnerable workers the skills to enter or progress in the job market.
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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Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour, British Columbia
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Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement
The Labour Market Agreements, created in 2007, are being transformed into the new Canada Job Fund Agreements to ensure greater employer involvement in training. British Columbia will receive approximately $65 million per year through the Canada Job Fund Agreement.
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 one-third of the total costs of training.
The Government of Canada will provide over $38 million annually to the Province of British Columbia for the Canada Job Grant once it is fully implemented. The Canada Job Grant will be delivered by the Province of British Columbia.
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 will be for short-duration training provided by eligible third-party trainers, 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.
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, once it is 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:
- 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.
