New Skills Development Fund Capital Stream Intake Now Open
The Skills Development Fund (SDF) has opened a second-round intake for the program’s Capital Stream which supports Ontario workforce development partners building new training centres, upgrading existing training centres, or converting an existing facility into a training centre.
Projects funded in the first round include a revolutionary crane training facility in Oro-Medonte, Ontario which is focused on training apprentices in mobile and tower crane operation, as well as heavy equipment.
“With more than $74 million committed to training and workers across the province, this new round of funding through our Skills Development Fund Capital Stream will help thousands of additional Ontario workers find better jobs and bigger paycheques.”
– Premier Doug Ford
Open for applications as of November 29, 2024, the SDF Capital Stream offers up to 49% of eligible project costs to business applicants in Ontario for projects that focus on business growth by expanding or planning projects around enhancing skilled jobs.
Funding Snapshot: SDF Capital Stream
The Skill Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream provides government funding support for capital technical planning costs and upgrades or construction of training centers for the skilled trades and other in-demand jobs. There are two funding pathways under the SDF Capital Stream:
The SEED Pathway will provide funding support for the technical planning costs to develop a capital proposal for a capital asset that will be used to support a skills development activity. This includes:
- Engineering or architectural plans;
- Mechanical and electrical drawings;
- Construction costs estimates; and
- Other related activities.
The GROW Pathway provides funding to support capital projects that create or improve physical spaces that will increase:
- Training capacity;
- Number of trainees; and
- Increase retention of trainees.
Funding:
- Up to 49% of eligible project costs; and
- No maximum or minimum funding amounts.
Applicant eligibility as primary applicant:
- Employers in Ontario (excluding educational organizations which are eligible to apply as partners);
- Minister-approved, non-college apprenticeship program training delivery agents;
- Non-profit organizations including Indigenous band offices and Indigenous Skills and Employment Training agreement holders;
- Professional, industry or employer associations;
- Trade unions or union-affiliated organizations;
- Municipalities;
- Hospitals;
- District Social Services Administration Boards; or
- Consolidated Municipal Service Managers.
Applicant eligibility as a partner with one or more of the eligible primary applicant organizations:
- District school boards;
- Publicly assisted colleges, universities, or Indigenous Institutes in Ontario;
- Career colleges; or
- Private universities with consent from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer degrees.
Program Objective:
Build new training centres, upgrade existing training centres, or convert facilities into training centres for in demand jobs in key sectors such as the skilled trades by:
- Creating or improving physical spaces that increase training capacity/number of trainees; and/or
- Increasing retention of trainees for jobs in emerging and in-demand growth sectors of Ontario’s economy and sectors experiencing labour market challenges.
Target Sectors or Occupations
- The skilled trades;
- Healthcare;
- Information technology; and/or
- Other sectors experiencing recruitment challenges.
Timeline:
- Intake opens November 29, 2024.
Canadian Government Funding for Hiring and Training
A business thrives on the strength of its team. If you’re looking to expand or develop your workforce, Canadian government grants are available to support small business recruitment efforts. The following two programs can help ensure you have qualified employees with the skills needed to meet both current and future business goals.
Funding can assist with hiring, retraining, enhancing staff effectiveness, and upskilling workers in areas like advanced technologies and operational processes.
- Canada Job Grant: Provides funding to employers to help cover training costs for their employees, including tuition, textbooks, and training materials. Employers contribute a portion of the costs, and the grant covers up to 66% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum amount per trainee.
- Canada Summer Jobs: Offers wage subsidies to employers to create quality summer work opportunities for young people aged 15–30. This program is designed to help youth gain valuable work experience while supporting organizations, particularly those that provide community services.
For more detailed application guidance or support with the overall funding process, businesses can connect with our team of government funding experts to streamline the funding application process.
