Manufacturing is a cornerstone for the Canadian economy, generating over 10% of Canada’s total GDP and accounting for about $174 billion annually. One of the largest challenges this industry faces is attracting new youth hires into manufacturing jobs.
According to the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing, only about 45% of employees were under the age of 45 in 2016, with the number of employees aged 18–44 decreasing by more than 200,000 compared to the previous decade. In order to provide Canadian youth with the experience and skills necessary to attract them to the manufacturing industry, the Canadian federal and Ontario provincial government have teamed up with the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA) and Mentor Works to present the Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities wage subsidy program.
Eligible businesses can apply for the Career-Ready with CTMA funding program with the Mentor Works application writing team at no-cost to the employer.
Through the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association and Mentor Works, the employment grant supports the precision metalworking industry in Ontario by assisting employers in hiring new employees. The program provides real-world work experience that enhances participants’ employability by building their skills and knowledge.
This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Program Snapshot: Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities
The Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities program has been running for multiple years, providing new job opportunities and experiences for Ontario youth hires.
Funding Amount
Positions that are approved to receive funding through this program can receive a portion of their wages covered to a maximum amount. Funding can be retroactive for previous hires up to April 1, 2022.
Employers will get a 50% pay reimbursement up to $5,000 for each Experiential Work Placement (EWP). For two consecutive EWPs, employers may receive up to $10,000. For three consecutive EWPs, employers may receive up to $15,000.
Additional funding parameters and program guidelines are detailed below:
- Applicants can apply for incentives for up to 12 candidates.
- Each EWP can last anywhere from 10 to 16 weeks.
- Each participant will be allowed to do three EWPs in a row. By March 24, 2023, all EWPs must be finished.
- Employers can use these funds in combination with government programs to cover up to 100% of employee costs.
- A Training Placement Agreement signed by the employer, the participant, and the CTMA will be used to distribute funds.
Eligible Applicants
To receive Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities credits, you must meet the following employer and candidate eligibility criteria:
Employer Eligibility
All employers must be licensed to operate in Ontario, provide training in Ontario that is related to eligible work, follow the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Employment Standards Act, have enough WSIB insurance coverage, and have adequate third-party general liability insurance. Eligible employers must also be in the following industries:
- Tool & Die Manufacturing;
- Mould Making;
- Precision Machining;
- Gauge and/or Fixture Building;
- Additive Manufacturing / Rapid Prototyping;
- Automation / Robotics Manufacturing;
- Machine Tool Building; or
- Cutting Tools Sales & Service.
Candidate Eligibility
Candidates must be a resident of Ontario, be eligible to work in Canada, and satisfy one of the following definitions to be considered for wage subsidy funding:
- New Apprentice,
- High School Graduate,
- High School Student,
- Post-Secondary Graduate,
- Post-Secondary Co-Op Student,
- Upskill an Existing Employee,
- Displaced Worker, or
- Job Seeker.
Eligible Positions
All positions funded through the Career-Ready with CTMA program must satisfy the following criteria:
- Be full-time and between 10 weeks and 16 weeks in duration;
- Begin no earlier than April 1, 2022, with the placement(s) completed by March 24, 2023 (employment can continue after the funding period has ended); and
- Pay candidates at least $15/hour for the duration of the program.
They must also be supporting 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;
- PLC programmers;
- Design / Engineering;
- Computer-assisted design / Computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM);
- Software development / Information technology;
- Advanced cutting tool manufacturing; and
- Other: finance, administration, sales, marketing, human resources, program management, etc.
Apply for the Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities Program
Applications will be accepted between April 1, 2022, and January 31, 2023. All funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Employment can continue after the funding period. Mentor Works will assist your business with the funding application at no-cost to your business. If you are interested in applying for this program, please contact Caitlin@mentorworks.ca or call (519) 831-5949.
Get in contact with the Mentor Works team to submit your application for Career-Ready with CTMA funding, and to find similar Canadian government funding programs for hiring, training, exporting, and more.