Skills Development Fund:
Training Stream (SDF-T)

This Program Has No Official Maximum Funding Amount

The Skills Development Fund: Training Stream (SDF-T) will support project-based solutions that offer partnership-driven approaches to stimulate economic growth in emerging and key growth sectors of Ontario’s economy and to increase long-term economic competitive advantage through workforce development strategies that can support workforce sustainability and resilience.

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Skills Development Fund: Training Stream (SDF-T)

Amount of Funding

  • There are no maximum or minimum funding amounts;
  • The program may choose to fund all or a portion of the proposed project; and
  • Projects with a $150K+ budget will be prioritized.
Amount of Funding from the Canadian Government

Skills Development Fund: Training Stream (SDF-T)

Eligible Applicants

Applicants may be eligible for funding if they meet the following criteria:

  • Must be a legal entity and be authorized to operate or carry-on business in Ontario;
  • Have a physical presence and are actively operating or carrying on business in Ontario;
  • Include the following entities:
    • Minister-approved non-college apprenticeship training delivery agents (TDAs). (Publicly assisted colleges, universities, or Indigenous Institutes in Ontario are eligible to participate as co-applicants with an eligible Primary Applicant);
    • Non-profit organizations in Ontario, including Indigenous band offices and Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISETs) agreement holders;
    • Professional/industry/employer associations;
    • Trade unions / union-affiliated organizations;
    • Municipalities, District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs). Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSMs), Hospitals; and
    • Consortiums are also eligible.
Eligible Applicants for Canadian Government Funding

Skills Development Fund: Training Stream (SDF-T)

Eligible Activities

Program Objectives:
Projects must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Support and help develop a resilient workforce by supporting access to the labour market, and/or retention and capacity-building for employers;
  • Empower workers and job seekers who face higher barriers of entry, and enhance pathways into meaningful and gainful employment; and
  • Encourage partnerships across the economy and support innovative ideas and training solutions.

Target Sectors or Occupations:
Projects must focus on at least one of the following criteria:

  • Skilled trades, other high-skilled, technical occupations, and other occupations in high demand (e.g. heavy-duty equipment technician, technology-related jobs, etc.); and
  • Sectors experiencing labour market challenges, including those impacted by COVID-19, sectors with unmet demand and talent gaps, as well as other priority sectors such as advanced manufacturing and in-demand healthcare occupations.

Eligible Participant Groups:
All proposals must support one or more of the following groups:

  • Employers, sponsors of apprentices;
  • Registered apprentices in skilled trades;
  • Job seekers and workers at risk of job displacement, including certain individuals with a 900 series SIN and an open work permit awaiting their official documents for permanent residency; and
  • Those impacted disproportionately by COVID-19, including women, youth, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, racialized groups, immigrants.

Project Focus Areas:
Projects must support one or more of the following areas:

  • Engage in research and development for innovative approaches and solutions to modernize skills development that meets local employer and labour market needs;
  • Ensure a sustainable and resilient workforce by enhancing employers’ capacity to adapt their businesses to the changing labour market, deliver employer-led training, and increase employment of underrepresented groups;
  • Stimulate economic growth by unlocking the full potential of skilled trades and apprenticeships; and
  • Build and sustain partnerships that identify and address shared sectorial workforce development needs and labour market needs in emerging and growth sectors in Ontario.
Eligible Expenses for Canadian Government Funding

Skills Development Fund: Training Stream (SDF-T)

Program Deadline

Please note: Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as funding is limited. Speak with a member of our team to find the latest intake period info for this program or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified.

Program Deadline for Canadian Government Funding
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Skills Development Fund: Training Stream (SDF-T) News