Update: Canada-Ontario Job Grants for Training Expected to Grow by 2017

The popular Canada-Ontario Job Grant has helped over 21,000 Ontario workers receive training, improve their skill sets, and help companies grow their business. The Government of Canada expects over $115M to be allocated to companies through this popular training grant by 2017. Mentor Works has helped hundreds of companies across Canada take advantage of the Canada Job Grant, allowing them to optimize investment in training and developing their employees.

What is the Canada-Ontario Job Grant?

The Canada-Ontario Job Grant is an Ontario government funding program that offers small businesses up to 66% of eligible third party training costs to incentivize businesses to invest in employee development. As a result of the availability of this training grant, over 2,700 companies have been able to leverage government funding to increase their training spending. The program provides coverage for eligible third party training expenses, including:

• Tuition / Course fees;
• Exam fees; and
• Course/training-related software.

Businesses in Ontario are encouraged to apply at least 15 business days prior to their training starting to ensure their application is reviewed and approved prior to training projects starting. Funding is widely available, however the funding is limited so it’s important to apply early.

What Types of Training Projects are Eligible?

One of the main benefits of the Canada-Ontario Job Grant is that it allows businesses to make the decision on what training will offer the most benefits to their employees and their business. This means that most training projects that use an eligible third-party trainer can be funded. Eligible trainers include:

• Universities, Colleges, Private Career Colleges;
• Product Vendors;
• Private Training Companies for Software & Equipment.

Training themes are similarly in the business owner’s control. This allows them to identify key training opportunities and leverage Canadian government funding to help offset the costs of investing in training. Popular training themes include:

• Software skills development (e.g. ERP, CRM, CAD);
• Equipment and advanced technology training,
• Lean manufacturing, management, process optimization training; and
• Marketing, business development, and leadership training from a Private Career College.

Training Funding Across Canada

The Canada-Ontario Job Grant is only for Ontario-based businesses and trainees, however there are provincial and territorial variants of the Canada Job Grant in virtually every province and territory across Canada. The Government of Canada recognized the importance of allowing businesses to decide where to invest training dollars and are offering businesses across Canada the opportunity to benefit from this training grant and improve investment in their employees through Canadian government funding.

If you are a small business owner and you are interested in learning more about the Canada Job Grant or other training grants or Canadian government funding programs, you can contact Mentor Works to learn more about how government funding can help your business. You can also sign up for one of our free informational webinars on training grants to learn more.