How much funding can be received?

Get up to $10,000/employee per year to cover 80% of the cost towards skills training programs for your employees. Employers can receive a maximum of $300,000 per fiscal year (April 1st - March 31st).

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

The B.C. Employer Training Grant program offers funding modalities that support employers in financing skills training for their workforce, providing a strategic advantage in developing a skilled labor market. These modalities are designed to ensure that participants can achieve job security or improvements while easing the financial burden on employers.

Reimbursement of up to 80% of eligible training costs, capped at $10,000 per participant.
Total funding available is up to $300,000 per fiscal year per employer.
Employers must initially cover all training costs and submit a reimbursement claim within 30 days of training commencement.
The funding supports a maximum training duration of 52 weeks per participant without covering diploma or degree programs.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports training initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills and job security of the workforce in British Columbia. Eligible projects focus on equipping employees and prospective hires with the necessary skills to meet changing job requirements.

Skills training that results in increased job security for current employees.
Training programs that lead to better job opportunities for employees, such as increased pay or promotions.
Providing unemployed individuals with job-specific skills training to secure employment.
Training for workers impacted by the downturn in the forest sector to facilitate reemployment.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 41,600

Conduct leadership skills training for mid-level managers at a social enterprise

$ 30,600

Launch a professional welding certification program for seasonal workers

$ 21,600

Facilitate transition to full-time employment for part-time healthcare aides

$ 34,560

Provide advanced digital marketing training for the marketing team in a startup

$ 14,800

Initiate customer service excellence training for part-time retail staff

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the employing company and the training provided.

Employers must apply on their own behalf using their Business BCeID; third parties cannot apply on their behalf.
The training must result in increased job security or an advancement to a better job for a current employee or provide a job for an unemployed person.
Employers must contribute 20% of the training costs as the Province reimburses only 80%.
Training must not exceed 52 weeks in duration and cannot involve diploma or degree programs.
Employee participants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada); temporary foreign workers, international students, or other temporary residents are ineligible.
Employers may receive up to $10,000 per participant and a maximum of $300,000 per fiscal year.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The B.C. Employer Training Grant program is designed for businesses in British Columbia that are looking to enhance the skills of their workforce or prospective hires. Eligible applicants include small, medium, and large enterprises operating within the province. The program also emphasizes support for employers in regions and industries facing challenges in the labor market, particularly those impacted by downturns in the forest sector. Participating employees must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Temporary foreign workers, international students, or other temporary residents are not eligible for training funded by this grant. Employers must apply for the grant themselves using their Business BCeID, and cannot have third parties apply on their behalf. The grant aims to assist employers who demonstrate a need to improve the job security or advancement prospects of current employees or facilitate employment for unemployed individuals.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes temporary residents including foreign workers and international students from being eligible participants. The restrictions focus on the employment status and residency of the individuals who can benefit from the training funded by this grant.

Temporary foreign workers are not eligible as training participants.
International students cannot participate under this grant.
Other temporary residents are excluded from eligibility.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant supports initiatives that enhance the skills of employees in alignment with current labor market needs. The eligible activities focus on providing practical training that ensures job security or career advancement for employees and job opportunities for unemployed individuals.

Skills training for current employees to ensure increased job security or advancement to better job positions, such as increased pay or full-time employment.
Training opportunities for unemployed individuals to secure employment with the sponsoring employer.
Training that facilitates a transition from temporary or seasonal employment to permanent roles.
Employer-driven upskilling that aligns with the evolving demands of the labor market.
Support for training forest sector workers affected by industry downturns to help them transition to new roles or employers.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is aimed at companies based in British Columbia, aligning with regional employment and economic development policies. Eligible locations are within the province of British Columbia.

Businesses located within British Columbia, Canada.

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are specific evaluation and selection criteria for the B.C. Employer Training Grant, which prioritize first-time applicants, small businesses, and sectors facing significant challenges in acquiring skilled workers.

Priority is given to first-time applicants.
Small businesses receive preferential consideration.
Priority for applicants from regions and industries experiencing substantial challenges in acquiring skilled workers.
Participants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
Training must result in increased job security or a better job for current employees, or a job for an unemployed person.
The employer must contribute 20% of the training cost, with the grant covering 80% up to $10,000 per employee and $300,000 per employer annually.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Create a Business BCeID Account
- Register for a Business BCeID to access online government services securely.
Step 2: Identify Training Needs and Providers
- Determine which employees need training and choose a suitable training provider.
Step 3: Apply Online
- Use your Business BCeID to log into the ETG’s Skills Training Grants System.
- Complete and submit the online application using the system.
Step 4: Await Decision
- Most applications are processed within two weeks.
- Training can commence prior to receiving a decision, but note the risk of bearing full costs if denied.
Step 5: Begin Training
- Start the training as planned, ensuring it aligns with the approved application.
Step 6: Submit Reimbursement Claim
- Submit a claim for reimbursement within 30 days after the training starts.
- Ensure all documentation is provided to support the claim.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The B.C. Employer Training Grant includes detailed conditions regarding the application process and eligibility requirements, as well as available resources for applicants. It offers reimbursement for training costs up to a specified amount with a process for submitting claims.

Training must result in increased job security or a better job for a current employee or a job for an unemployed person.
The employer must contribute 20 per cent of the training costs.
Employers can receive up to $10,000 per participant and up to $300,000 per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).
Priority is given to first-time applicants, small businesses, and applicants from regions and industries with skilled worker shortages.
Employees must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
Temporary foreign workers, international students, or other temporary residents are ineligible.
Training cannot exceed 52 weeks, and the grant does not fund diploma or degree programs.
Employers need to use their Business BCeID for application submissions. Third-party applications are not accepted.
Participants must submit their own Participant Information Forms before the employer can submit an application.
Employers must pay for all training costs upfront and submit reimbursement claims within 30 days of the training start.

Apply to this program

Boosting Skills Development for a Competitive Advantage

The B.C. Employer Training Grant program offers financial support to enterprises in British Columbia, enabling them to invest in skills training for their workforce, with enhanced provisions for sectors like forestry. Aimed at fostering a skilled and adaptable labour market, the grant provides up to $300,000 annually to help businesses stay competitive and ensure employees gain better job security or advancement opportunities.

Understanding the B.C. Employer Training Grant: A Pathway to Workforce Agility

The B.C. Employer Training Grant is a pivotal financial assistance program structured to fortify businesses across British Columbia by aligning workforce capabilities with the dynamic demands of the labour market. Emphasizing the importance of building a skilled workforce, the program serves as a crucial instrument in propelling economic growth and innovation within the province. By offering up to $300,000 per year to employers who engage in this scheme, the initiative supports job training for both current employees and prospective hires.

Training funded through this program is focused on enhancing job security and facilitating career advancement. It helps employees enhance their skills, thus positioning them as valuable assets in their respective fields. By investing in the future of its workforce, British Columbia ensures that its industries remain competitive in the global marketplace, embracing both technological advances and sector-specific needs.

The grant framework is organized to afford businesses maximum flexibility. By allowing employers to apply multiple times, the program adapts to the evolving training requirements of enterprises, thus addressing both short-term and long-term skill deficits. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for first-time applicants, small enterprises, and those in regions or sectors hard-hit by skill shortages, such as the forest industry, which has seen tailored support due to recent economic challenges.

Participation in this initiative necessitates a systematic approach, beginning with the creation of a Business BCeID account. This serves as a gateway to the electronic submission of applications via the Skills Training Grants System. Timely application submissions are vital, as they ensure decisions are made expediently, ideally within a two-week timeframe. Employers must shoulder the initial financial investment for training and can subsequently submit reimbursement claims for up to 80% of eligible costs, which is a strategic incentive to prioritize workforce training within financial budgets.

This reimbursement model not only underlines the government's commitment to workforce development but also propagates an employer culture of investing in human capital. By mandating that applications address skills development outcomes such as improved job positions or transitions from unemployment to employment, the grant program is strategically aligned to enhance both employee satisfaction and business productivity.

An essential facet of the grant program is its support for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons, ensuring that the training benefits make a meaningful impact on the Canadian labour market landscape. By specifically targeting temporary workforce engagement adjustments—from part-time or seasonal roles to permanent, full-time employment—the grant actively supports workforce stabilization and economic resilience.

In summary, the B.C. Employer Training Grant is a potent catalyst for economic innovation and workforce enhancement. It empowers B.C. businesses to invest in their employees, thereby generating a cycle of growth and opportunity that aligns with provincial economic goals and labor market realities. In investing in its people, British Columbia is laying a robust foundation for a competitive, agile, and sustainable economic future.