Funding: The Flexibility and Innovation in Apprenticeship Technical Training (FIATT) Pilot - Developing your application

4. Develop your application

The Application for Funding has four parts:

Section 1 - Application for Funding

• Part 1 – Organization
• Part 2 – Project
• Part 3 – Funding
• Part 4 – Declaration

Please read this section carefully before completing your application. Provide your answers on the application form template and attach only the documents requested.

All required documents must be attached. Otherwise your application will be considered incomplete and screened out. You are required to submit your application in one complete package by the closing date of the Call for Proposals (CFP).

If you need additional space to answer any of the questions, please use the space provided in Appendix A of the Application for Funding.

Additional Documents Required:

Listed below are all additional documents that are required to be submitted with your Application for Funding:

• proof of organization type and status: A tax related document that includes your organization’s business or registration number with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) (e.g. tax-related document, CRA correspondence, articles of incorporation, constitution documents, etc.).
• proof of financial contributions from other sources: Letters confirming that your organization has met the 25% mandatory leveraging requirements of the total eligible project costs from non-federal government sources (can include the applicant’s own organization).
• Detailed Budget Template.
• letter(s) from the apprenticeship authority(ies), in all project jurisdictions, to confirm that the project will support apprenticeship technical training.

Part 1 - Organization

Section 1A - Organization Identification

ESDC uses the information you provide in this section to establish your organization’s identity.

Question 1 - Legal Name

Please provide the legal name of your organization. Usually, this is the name associated with your registration with the CRA, or the name that would appear on funding cheques.

Question 2 - Operating (Common) Name (if different from legal name)

Please provide the operating (or common) name of your organization if it is different from the legal name.

Question 3 - Business or Registration Number

Please provide your 15-digit CRA business number and a document that includes your business or registration number (e.g. tax related documents, CRA correspondence, etc.).

Example: 123456789 RR 1234

For more information, please visit the CRA website.

Question 4 - Organization Type

To be considered eligible for funding, your answer to this question must be: Training Provider

For more details, please refer to Eligibility.

Question 5 - Not applicable for this CFP

Question 6 - Year Established

Please indicate the year your organization was established.

Questions 7 to 11 - Organization Address

Please indicate the address of your organization - Applicants must provide a complete address in a format recognized by Canada Post. Information is available on the Canada Post website.

Questions 12 and 13 - Telephone and Fax

Please indicate the telephone and fax numbers of the organization.

Question 14 - E-mail Address

Please indicate the e-mail address of the organization.

Questions 15 to 19 - Mailing Address

Please indicate the mailing address if different from your organization’s address.

Questions 20 and 21 - Telephone and Fax

Please indicate the telephone and fax number if different from your organization’s address.

Question 22 - Organization’s Mandate

Please describe the main activities of your organization, including your mission, mandate and objectives, if applicable. Please describe the programs and services offered by your organization.

Section 1B - Organization Contact

Please provide a main contact for the purposes of communicating with your organization about this project. This could be the Executive Director, President or a delegate of their choice.

Question 23 - Given Name

Please provide the name of the person in your organization who will be ESDC’s main contact for the project.

Question 24 - Position Title

Please provide the title of the organization contact identified in Question 23.

Example: Business owner, President, or Executive Director.

Question 25 - Preferred Language of Communication

Please indicate the preferred language of the organization’s main contact for both written and spoken communication.

EN indicates English

FR indicates French

Question 26 - Organization Contact - Address

Please indicate whether the address for the Organization Contact is the same address as the Organization Address or the Organization Mailing Address given in Section 1A. If different, please indicate in the box.

Questions 27 to 31 - Contact Address

If you selected “Different” in Question 26, please provide the address for the Organization Contact here.

Questions 32 and 33 - Telephone and Fax

Please indicate the telephone and fax numbers of the Organization Contact.

Question 34 - E-mail Address

Please indicate the e-mail address of the Organization Contact. Please note that this is where all correspondence will be sent.

Section 1C - Organizational Capacity

ESDC uses the information provided in this section to help assess the organization’s capacity to manage a project.

Question 35 - Not applicable for this CFP

Question 36 - Has your organization undergone any important transformations in the past two years?

For the purpose of this CFP “important transformations” refer to events such as change in ownership, merger with or split from another organization, acquisition, expansion, a change in main activities, an important reduction, increase or turn-over in staff, declaration of bankruptcy, etc.

If you answer yes, please provide a description of the changes.

Question 37 - Does your organization have the experience and expertise to carry out the proposed project activities?

If applicable, please include any past apprenticeship technical training delivery experience in addition to any past funding history with ESDC and the results of the project(s).

Question 38 - Does your organization owe any amounts to the Government of Canada?

If yes, please indicate the amounts owing in the spaces provided. See the following example:

Example:

Question 39 - Is a payment plan in place?

Please indicate whether or not payment arrangements have been made.

Answering "yes" to this question will not invalidate your application. However, you must provide details as to the type of debt owed and the arrangements that have been made for repayment.

Part 2 - Project

Section 2A - Project Identification

Question 40 - Project Title

Please provide a brief, descriptive project title.

Questions 41 and 42 - Planned Project Start and End Dates

Please indicate the planned start and end dates of your project.

Please note that proposed activities cannot begin before your project is approved and a Funding Agreement has been signed by both the recipient and ESDC.

You should not assume any commitment on the part of ESDC until funding has been approved and the Funding Agreement has been signed by a representative of ESDC. ESDC will notify you in writing of the outcome of the review of your application.

Section 2B - Project Description

Question 43 - Project Objectives (must be clearly linked to the objectives of the program to which you are applying)

Proposals should include clear and achievable objectives. The objectives should be described in terms of quantifiable and measurable goals to be achieved through this project.

Objectives are statements of desired change that describe what should be accomplished and provide a context in which progress can be monitored and success can be measured.

ESDC will consider your project eligible for funding if it is clearly linked to the CFP objective, which is to introduce, test, and promote innovative approaches for the delivery of technical training, reduce barriers to completing training and obtaining certification, and create training opportunities for apprentices in Red Seal trades.

For the purpose of this CFP, innovative approaches to the delivery of technical training are defined as:

• New technology solutions (e.g. e-learning and simulation technology) to help technical training occur out of the traditional classroom setting, as well as providing enriched, more flexible learning opportunities.
• Technical training in new settings (e.g. workplaces, mobile training centres, and distance learning) or more flexible arrangements that better suit apprentices and employers.
• Building upon existing innovative initiatives (e.g. applying an existing initiative to a new trade, jurisdiction etc.) – an innovative approach does not need to be a newly invented approach, but must involve the introduction of new elements, and cannot be a request to continue funding existing initiatives.

Innovative approaches can include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following elements:

• e-learning
• distance education
• videoconference
• correspondence
• blended learning (combination of e-learning with classroom teaching)
• mobile facilities
• simulation technology

Examples of potential eligible project objectives could be:

• reduce the amount of time rural apprentices are away from the workplace through the use of blended learning approaches; or
• increase access to technical training for apprentices with disabilities by adapting existing curriculum and developing an accessible web based program.

In addition, to demonstrate how your project objectives link to the CFP objectives, you must:

• provide clear information about your target audience (specify trades and any underrepresented groups), and
• describe how the project will increase levels of employer engagement in apprenticeship technical training.

Question 44 - Project Activities (must be broken down into clear steps)

Project activities are the steps that will be taken to meet the objectives of the project. Activities should be specific, realistic and relevant to the project objectives and demonstrate how the project outcome(s) will be achieved.

Your proposal must demonstrate that your project activities relate to the development, testing and promotion of innovative and flexible approaches to apprenticeship technical training.

Examples of promotional activities can include, but are not limited to:

• discussion with other training providers and stakeholders;
• the distribution and availability of course materials; and/or
• participation in forums held by research partner organizations.

Applicants must include the following details:

• a description of each activity with an explanation of how it relates to project objectives. There should always be a clear link between the project activities and the project objectives (Section 2B, Question 43);
• project milestones, timelines and/or duration of the various activities (milestones are significant events or points of progress during the project). These should demonstrate your expected progress and plans to complete the project on time and within budget; and
• clear linkages between the project activities and the project costs outlined in the budget (Section 3B Questions 58 to 61). Costs associated with all identified activities should be reflected in the Detailed Budget Template.

In addition, the projects selected for funding agree to collect and provide to a research organization designated by ESDC project specific data and information requested by the research organization to support the design of the data collection framework for the FIATT initiative. The research organization will coordinate and guide the development and the collection of required empirical evidence needed for the research evaluation. The information to be collected by the funding recipient and provided to the research organization may include, but is not limited to:

• data on the number of apprentice research subjects;
• data on apprenticeship completion rates (completion can be by level, not necessarily entire apprenticeship program);
• data on types of apprenticeship training and certification; and
• data on employer engagement and support for apprenticeship training.

Refer to the Review Process of this document for additional details on eligible activities and funding objectives related to this CFP.

Question 45 - Expected Results of the Project (must be clearly linked to the project objectives and be specific, concrete and measurable)

Please describe the expected results of your project. The expected results of the project must be clearly linked to the project objectives, must be specific, concrete and measurable and also must be defined as outcomes and outputs.

Definitions

Outputs are direct products or services that will be produced to generate the desired outcomes; several activities could contribute to one output. They answer the question “What will the project produce?” (e.g. an on-line and accessible technical training tool). Results are any improvements or changes that your project will make to completion and certification of apprentices and removing barriers. It is important to set measurable results, qualitative or quantitative, so that you can track the success of your project. A good project proposal will clearly define project activities and expected results. List the results you want to achieve, and then determine how you will measure them. This will also assist you in defining your project Results Measurement Indicators (see Question 46 below).

Outcomes are the short-term and intermediate changes that are expected to occur as the result of the project (more than one outcome could be directly related to an objective). They answer the questions “How do we know the project is successful?” and “How do the activities lead to improvements for the beneficiaries? (e.g. Apprentices complete the training required to obtaining their certification while still maintaining regular work hours.) Refer to the Review Process of this document for additional details on FIATT outcomes.

Below is an example of expected results and how your organization could measure them:

Section C - Project Details

Question 46 - Does the project include Results Measurement Indicators?

Please describe how you will meet and track the expected results of the project. Provide a description of how the overall success of the project will be measured, monitored and reported after completion.

Proposals must include qualitative and quantitative Results Measurement Indicators. At least one Result Measurement Indicator must be provided for each of the project’s expected results identified under Question 45. The results must be measurable and clearly linked to this CFP’s objectives and to project activities.

Measuring result indicators is a way to determine how your project is progressing towards meeting its expected results. It helps connect a project’s activities and outputs to its intended outcomes as well as the Program’s overall outcomes. ESDC uses the information you provide in this section to assess the quality of your application and your capacity to demonstrate results.

Results Measurement Indicators could include (refer to examples of results measurement indicators under Question 45 of this guide for more information):

• number of hours/days/weeks apprentices spend away from the workplace while undertaking innovative technical training approaches;
• employer involvement in traditional vs. innovative technical training approaches;
• perceptions of underrepresented apprenticeship groups before and after innovative technical trade approach regarding training barriers;
• perceptions of remote apprenticeship groups before and after innovative technical trade approach regarding training barriers; and
• length of time taken by apprentices to complete innovative technical training approaches.

Question 47 – Not applicable for this CFP

Question 48 - Will any of the project activities be delivered in a different location than where your organization is located?

Please indicate “Yes” or “No”. If “Yes”, please list the main address first, followed by each additional location.

If there are more than five locations, please include in Appendix A.

Question 49 - Is your project designed to benefit or involve people in English or French-language minority communities? If yes, please provide an explanation and any details on whether consultations will take place with these communities?

ESDC is committed to enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minorities in Canada by supporting and assisting their development and fostering the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society. Official language minority communities are English-speaking communities established within the province of Quebec and French-speaking communities established outside the province of Quebec.

If your project will involve official language minority communities, you should answer "Yes" to this question and ensure that this is listed and described in your answer to Question 43 - Project Objectives.

Please also identify the linguistic profile of the beneficiaries targeted by the project, document any special needs of the official language minority communities and indicate whether or not they were consulted. The related budgetary items can be identified in Part 3 of the Application.

Answering "No" to this question will not invalidate your application.

Question 50 - Will any other organizations, networks or partners be involved in carrying out the project?

In addition to any contributors identified for the 25% “other sources of funding” requirement, will there be other partners involved in this project?

A – Provide the following information regarding the organization(s) that support the proposed project:

• name of the supporting organization; and
• type of organization (e.g. not-for-profit, publicly funded, etc.).

B – Describe the nature of the partnership with the organization(s) that support the proposed project.

Question 51 - Not applicable for this CFP

Question 52 - Does your project include activities that are listed in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s (CEAA) Regulations Designating Physical Activities established under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012?

NB: Applicants need to verify if their proposed activities are listed under the above Act – Please visit Act and List of Regulations to access the list of Regulations Designating Physical Activities.

Please indicate “YES” or “NO”.

If the answer is NO - No Environmental Assessment (EA) will be required.

If the answer is YES, then, as per the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, applicant must submit the project description electronically to the CEAA (Preparing a Project Description) for further review. The CEAA will determine if an EA is required based on the project description.

Important: ESDC funding will be conditional upon receipt by ESDC of, as the case may be, CEAA confirmation that an EA is not required or a copy of the completed EA and confirmation that your organization is equipped to appropriately address the EA findings.

Part 3 - Funding

Section 3A - Anticipated Sources of Contribution

ESDC will use the information provided in this section to verify that your funding request conforms to the requirement for funding from other sources.

For the purposes of this CFP, cash or in-kind contributions equal to or greater than 25% of the total eligible project costs from sources other than the federal government must be provided (which can include the applicant’s own organization). These amounts must be reflected in this section and applicants must provide letters confirming financial support from contributors with their application, indicating the amount of the contributions, and confirming that it will be directly applied to project costs before FIATT funding can be provided.

Question 53 - Source Name(s)

Please include the name of the organization(s) that will contribute funds to this project (including ESDC as listed in the table).

Cash and in-kind contributions must be committed to in writing by the contributing party through the provision of a letter containing the information identified as follows:

• name and contact information of contributing partner organization; and
• confirmation of committed contribution to the project, including percentage of total project cost.

Each letter must be signed by an authorized authority of the contributing partner (e.g: Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, etc.), attesting that the contributions are readily available once the project is approved.

Other sources include, but are not limited to provincial/territorial/municipal governments, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, foundations, colleges/universities and Aboriginal governments. Funding from federal departments/agencies will not be counted towards the 25%.

Question 54 - Source Type

Use the following list to identify the type of anticipated contributor.

Organization Type and Category:

• Not-for-Profit Associations of workers and/or of employers;
• Not-for-Profit Local community, charitable, voluntary organization;
• Not-for-Profit National NGOs;
• Not-for-Profit Provincial NGOs;
• Not-for-Profit Union Centres;
• Public Sector Public community colleges and vocational schools;
• Public Sector School Board/Other educational institutions not elsewhere classified;
• Sponsor/organization/recipient; or
• Other (please specify).

Question 55 - Cash

Please include the amount of funding that will be provided.

Question 56 – In-kind

Please include the amount of funding that will be provided.

Question 57 - Confirmed Cash

Cash contributions must be committed to in writing by the contributing party. Please check (x) if this has been confirmed and attach to your application letters from the contributing partner confirming cash contributions.

Section 3B - Project Budget

Applicants must provide an estimate of the project’s costs. ESDC uses the information provided in this section to assess the overall cost of the proposed project, as well as the general nature of the expenditures to be covered by all anticipated sources of funding.

Please use the Detailed Budget Template which must be included as part of the application.

Question 58 - Cost Categories

Please summarize your project budget according to the following cost categories and provide the necessary details in the Detailed Budget Template:

• staff wages and mandatory employment-related costs (MERCs);
• project costs; and
• capital assets.

Please note that participant costs are not an eligible expenditure under this CFP.  Any associated research subject costs should be requested under the project costs heading, (line “ad- support to individuals”) with a detailed description.

Questions 59 to 61 - ESDC/ Other - Cash

Please provide the total planned expenditures.

“Other” includes funding from another source (not ESDC).

Section 3C - Budget Details

Question 62 - Associated Businesses or Individuals

Please check all statements that apply to your planned expenditures of ESDC funding.

In carrying out projects, recipients may have to purchase various goods or services needed to perform the project from contractors. Some recipients may also contract-out with third parties (i.e. outside providers) to perform part of the project activities and aid the recipient to achieve the objectives of the project.

“Associated businesses or individuals” means:

• an officer, director or employee of your organization;
• a member of the immediate family of an officer, director or employee of your organization;
• a business in which an officer, director or employee of your organization, or a member of their immediate family, has a financial interest; or
• a business which is related to, or associated or affiliated with, your organization.

Project activities must go beyond your organization’s normal activities, as FIATT does not fund your organization’s core, existing or on-going activities.

Question 63 - Capital Assets: Will capital assets be among your planned expenditures with ESDC funding? Please indicate Yes or No.

Explain how your project will benefit from the purchase of capital assets. A disposal plan for the capital assets should also be included.

A capital asset is any single or composite asset with a purchase value of more than $5,000 that is not physically incorporated into another product and that remains functional at the end of the project.

A composite asset is a collection of unique assets that form one unit, where all components are required for the asset to be functional. The collection of assets is treated as a single capital asset if the total cost of all individual items together is greater than $5,000.

For example, a personal computer composed of a hard-drive, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse and cabling is a composite capital asset. Five $1,000 desks are not capital assets because each desk is functional on its own and, as single units, fall below the established threshold of $5,000 (before tax).

Question 64 – Not applicable for this CFP

Part 4 - Declaration

Please ensure that your application is signed by an official, authorized representative of your organization. People with signing authority are normally one or more of the executive members of the board of directors (President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer) and employees of the organization (Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, Chiefs of Finance or Human Resources).

The Application for a Funding Agreement must be signed in accordance with the organization’s statutes, by-laws or other constituting documents. For example, the President and the Chief Financial Officer may be required to sign all outgoing documents.

Appendix - A

Please use this section to complete questions from previous sections of the Application for Funding; and specify the question or section meant to be continued.

Policies and Standards

• Service Standards
• Official Languages
• Access to Information and Privacy