Career-Ready with CTMA: Access Machine, Tool, Die, Mould, and Automation Hiring Grants

Ontario-based automotive suppliers are constantly seeking high-quality manufacturing employees. Recruiting youth workers is a great way to build your team, which is why the new Career-Ready with CTMA program has been launched. The program is specifically designed to close the skilled trades gap in the Machine, Tool, Die, Mould & Automation (MTDMA) sector and enable co-op students, recent graduates, and potential new apprentices the opportunity to receive training and direct work experiences.

Career-Ready with CTMA offers an incentive of $3,000 to $15,000 per hire in non-repayable funding for a 10-week to four-month period. This program can stack with other federal programs to offset up to 100% of employment costs.

Hiring grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis for employers meeting the program’s eligibility criteria. Given the limited nature of funding, manufacturers should apply soon to maximize their chances of success. If interested in applying, please contact Mentor Works to get started on the application process. All applications for the program are completed by Mentor Works on behalf of the employer and sent to CTMA for review.

About the Career-Ready with CTMA Program

Career-Ready with CTMA is a funding program administered by the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA). It’s designed to integrate more youth workers into the Machine, Tool, Die, Mould & Automation (MTDMA) sector by helping employers hire and train them for in-demand roles. The Career-Ready with CTMA program directly offsets employment costs so that the new worker can learn valuable skills. After this period, employment can continue, and both the employer and employee benefit from enhanced skillsets.

MTDMA employers can access funding by hiring co-op students, recent graduates, and potential new apprentices. CTMA can help facilitate a matchmaking process if companies cannot find a suitable candidate.

While companies do not have to be a CTMA member to access the program, CTMA members have priority access to funding. There are no fees for CTMA members and non-members to apply to the Career-Ready with CTMA program.

Funding Contribution and Stacking with Additional Incentives

Successful applicants to the Career-Ready with CTMA program may access $3,000 to $15,000 per candidate hired, per 10- to 16-week work period. The main difference between these two contribution levels is the type of candidate hired. While most candidates will qualify for the $3,000 contribution, only candidates that have a self-identified disability are eligible for up to $5,000 in hiring grants. An employer can have a maximum of 12 hires that could qualify for up to 3 placements each.

CTMA hiring grants can even be stacked with federal hiring incentives to help employers access up to 100% of the candidate’s employment costs. Federal incentives vary depending on candidate type, but can generally support up to the following amounts:

• Co-op Students: Up to 100% of candidate’s wages to a maximum $5k-$7k; and
• Recent Graduates: Up to 100% of candidate’s wages to a maximum $12k-$15k.

Employer Eligibility for Career-Ready with CTMA

To access Career-Ready with CTMA funding, employers must meet the following criteria:

• Automotive Manufacturers should derive at least 50% of revenues from the automotive supply sector;
• Advanced Manufacturers should derive at least 30% of revenues from the automotive supply sector;
• Both of the above can include manufacturers that have shifted to produce medical supplies and equipment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Must typically operate in the Machine, Tool, Die, Mould & Automation industry;
• Must operate in Ontario; and
• Non-CTMA members must have fewer than 1,000 employees and meet other eligibility criteria.

Candidate Eligibility for Career-Ready with CTMA

To be eligible for companies to hire and access Career-Ready with CTMA funding towards, candidates must:

• Be a potential new apprentice, co-op student (currently enrolled in an Ontario diploma, certificate, or degree program), or a recent graduate (within 18 months); and
• Be an Ontario resident that can legally work in Canada.

Placement/Role Eligibility for Career-Ready with CTMA

To be eligible for Career-Ready with CTMA hiring grants, the candidate’s role must:

• Be full-time and between 10 weeks and four months in duration;
• Begin no earlier than April 1, 2020 or later than February 8, 2021 (employment can continue after the funding period has ended); and
• Pay at least $14/hour for the duration of the program.

Eligible employers can apply for funding to support manufacturing-related roles, including:

• Tool and die manufacturing;
• Mould making;
• Building gauges and fixtures;
• Machine tool building;
• 3D printing and additive manufacturing;
• CNC machining/precision metal working;
• Robotics and automation;
• Design/Engineering;
• CAD/CAM – Computer-assisted design / Computer-assisted manufacturing;
• Software development; and
• Advanced cutting tool manufacturing.

Career-Ready with CTMA will NOT support non-CTMA member companies whose primary focus is large-scale production stamping, moulding, or machining of components, etc.

Next Steps: How to Apply for CTMA Hiring Grants

Employers interested in the Career-Ready with CTMA program are encouraged to contact Mentor Works for assistance throughout the application process. As a program partner, Mentor Works will work with all funding applicants to gather necessary information and develop the applications at no cost to them. After an employer’s application is complete, Mentor Works sends it to CTMA for review. Once a funding decision has been reached, employers can hire the candidate and establish a timeframe for the work period to be completed.

CTMA hiring grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. With a limited pool of funding, employers that are a good fit for the program should apply as soon as possible. Contact Mentor Works to begin your application.