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B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG)
Government financial assistance for workforce skills training in British Columbia
Funding available
$ 300,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Guides for this program
- Training your team or building a sector workforce project: which funding path fits?
Choose the right funding path for employee courses or a shared workforce project.
Overview
WorkBC’s Employer Training Grant reimburses B.C. employers for 80% of approved eligible training costs, up to $10,000 per participant and $300,000 per employer per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). Employers pay the full cost first. Training must help an employee gain job security or move into a better job, or help an unemployed participant get a job.
Example. If approved eligible training costs $15,000 for one participant, 80% is $12,000. The per-participant cap brings reimbursement to $10,000 if the employer has enough room under its annual cap. The employer pays $15,000 up front and bears $5,000 after reimbursement.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Skills training for current employees to increase job security or advancement within the company.
- Training programs designed to help unemployed individuals secure new job opportunities within the organization.
- Training initiatives supporting employees affected by downturns in the forest sector, providing new skills or career prospects.
- Programs aimed at facilitating employee progression from part-time, temporary, or seasonal positions to permanent, full-time roles.
Documents Needed
- Participant Information Forms
- Receipts and proof of payment
- Travel Expense Form, if claiming travel costs
- Supporting documents for reimbursement claims
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
B.C. Employer Training Grant updated
The ETG content now reflects a change in current program timing and priority guidance, while funding and contact details remain unchanged.
The ETG pages now show updated program timing and priority guidance, including the current application status and the factors used to rank applications. Funding amounts, contact information, and the main application portal details remain the same. The visible changes are concentrated in the program status and how applications are prioritized, with only minor wording adjustments elsewhere.
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small businesses in British Columbia
- Medium businesses in British Columbia
- Large businesses in British Columbia
- Employers training current employees or prospective new hires
- Employers affected by forest sector downturns
Who is not eligible
- Third parties applying on behalf of an employer
- Businesses outside British Columbia
- Applications for diploma or degree programs
Eligible expenses
- Costs of skills training programs for employees and prospective new hires.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Diploma or degree programs, in full or in part
- Training costs already covered by another funding source
- Training activities such as seminars, coaching, consulting, or retreats
Eligible geographic areas
- British Columbia
Selection criteria
- First-time applicants receive priority.
- Small businesses receive priority.
- Training delivered by a B.C. public post-secondary institution receives a priority point.
- Trades training at apprenticeship levels 3 or 4 receives a priority point.
- Applications from regions and industries facing the greatest skills shortages are prioritized.
How to apply
- Choose the course and provider. Have each participant submit their own Participant Information Form.
- Apply through the Skills Training Grants System using the employer’s Business BCeID before training starts. Apply early and wait for the decision if possible. If training starts after submission and the application is denied, the employer pays the full cost.
- If approved, accept the agreement and pay all costs in full. Keep receipts and proof of payment.
- Submit the reimbursement claim through the portal within 30 days after training starts. WorkBC reviews the claim before payment.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed in priority order based on the program’s prioritization system.
- Applicants are notified of approval, denial, or return without assessment within 60 days.
- An agreement must be accepted before funding is finalized.
- After training starts, reimbursement claims are reviewed before payment is issued.
Additional information
- Employers must use their own Business BCeID account for all applications; third-party applications are not accepted.
- Participants need to submit their individual information forms prior to the employer’s application submission.
- Priority is given to first-time applicants, small businesses, and sectors or regions facing significant labour market challenges.
- Employers must pay training costs upfront and submit a reimbursement claim within 30 days after training begins.
Frequently Asked Questions about the B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) Program
What is the B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG)?
WorkBC’s Employer Training Grant reimburses B.C. employers for 80% of approved eligible training costs, up to $10,000 per participant and $300,000 per employer per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). Employers pay the full cost first. Training must help an employee gain job security or move into a better job, or help an unemployed participant get a job. Example. If approved eligible training costs $15,000 for one participant, 80% is $12,000. The per-participant cap brings reimbursement to $10,000 if the employer has enough room under its annual cap. The employer pays $15,000 up front and bears $5,000 after reimbursement.
How much funding can be received?
B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $300,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) program?
To be eligible for the B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) program, you must:
Must apply using their own Business BCeID account
Must be a small, medium, or large enterprise in British Columbia
Cannot use third parties to submit applications
What expenses are eligible under B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG)?
Costs of skills training programs for employees and prospective new hires.
Where is the B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) available?
The B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) is a Grant and Funding