On March 28, 2014, Ontario signed the Canada-Ontario Job Fund Agreement with the federal government, which will provide Ontario with $192 million per year for the next six years. The Agreement is a key source of funding for new employer-led training through the Canada-Ontario Job Grant.
The ministry has launched two new, employer-driven skills training pilots:
Canada-Ontario Job Grant: Customized Training and Canada-Ontario Job Grant: UpSkill.
Since its launch in September 2014, COJG has subsidized over 21,000 workers’ training plans in Ontario, improving skillsets and helping to fill the province’s most in-demand skilled labour positions.
With over $115 million to be allocated by 2017, small businesses across the province should apply for the training grants to further develop their employees’ skills and increase company capabilities.
The COJG funding program requires that businesses engage in third-party training in order to be eligible. In-house training does not qualify to receive government funding through this job grant. Training programs that have the best opportunity of receiving funding include those that:
Impact an employee’s role;
Impact an employee’s job title;
Increases and employee’s salary;
Enables job creation; and
Provides the business with new abilities.
Business and Employee Eligibility to Receive Ontario Government Grants
There are currently no restrictions based on the company’s revenue, incorporation, number of employees, or ability to export. However, funding does need to take place in Ontario and the applicant must be an incorporated Ontario organization.
There are restrictions on which employees are eligible to receive government funded training. Individuals trained under the grant must be:
An Ontario resident;
A Canadian citizen;
A permanent resident or protected person;
Not currently active in a full-time education program;
Sponsored by their employer; and
Participating in Ontario-based training.
Eligible Expenses for COJG Ontario Government Grants - Businesses will be able to recover up to 66% of the expenses for training-related costs, such as:
Third-party trainer costs;
Tuition for continuing education courses;
Student and examination fees;
Textbooks and course materials; and Training-related software.
For businesses with fewer than 50 employees, a portion of employee payroll costs can also be factored into your total funding received. Up to 1/6 of wages can be claimed during the training period, which contributes towards the maximum of $10,000 per trainee funding limit.
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