Open

Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative

Q: How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative?

Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

Q: Who is eligible for the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative program?

To be eligible for the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative program, you must: Applicable to organizations affected by a mass layoff

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative?

You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at EDSC.DGOP.ICPPPE-CROI.POB.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca.

Q: Where is the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative available?

The Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative program is available the province of Quebec.

Last Update: February 4, 2026

QC, Canada

Supports workforce training and community-based projects

Grant and Funding

Employment and Social Development Canada

Processing And Agreement

Contact

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Develop employee skills

Develop strategic partnerships

Increasing community impact

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Open Date : February 3, 2026

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

All industries

Location

Quebec

Legal structures

Non-profit

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

All groups

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

Social Services

Target groups

All the groups

Revenue structures

100% donations / grants

Scope

Local

Overview

Support for Workforce Transition in Impacted Communities

The Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative offers targeted funding to organizations in communities where mass layoffs have occurred, aiming to support workforce planning, skills development, and employment transition. The program's primary goal is to facilitate workers' skills training and help local employers meet labor demands, thereby fostering community resilience and economic recovery.

Detailed Overview of the Grant and Its Strategic Importance

Driven by the need to support communities facing economic disruptions due to significant layoffs, this initiative provides financial aid to eligible organizations engaged in workforce development projects. By funding community-based projects that focus on identifying impacted workers, developing tailored training programs, and creating work experiences, the program aims to strengthen local labor markets and reduce unemployment challenges. This support is essential in regions where local labor market conditions make it difficult for workers to transition to new employment opportunities, especially in the aftermath of large-scale layoffs that can have lasting economic and social impacts.

Organizations involved in this initiative must demonstrate their capacity to implement effective training solutions and align their projects with community needs and labor market demands. The initiative encourages collaboration among community-based groups, employers, training providers, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive workforce plans. These plans should address the specific needs of the affected workforce, including the identification of skill gaps and creating pathways to new, in-demand jobs. The projects eligible for funding can include a broad range of activities, such as skills assessment, vocational training, on-the-job work experiences, and career counseling, all aimed at supporting workers' successful transition into new employment sectors.

Funding through this program is designed to be flexible, contingent on the scope and scale of the proposed projects, with an emphasis on community impact and sustainability. The funds can cover various expenses involved in project implementation, provided they align with the objectives of workforce re-skilling and community economic renewal. Alongside financial support, successful applicants benefit from technical advice, project development resources, and opportunities for stakeholder engagement, all intended to maximize the effectiveness of their initiatives.

It is noteworthy that the program targets communities that have experienced significant economic shifts resulting from mass layoffs, ensuring that the support directly benefits regions most in need. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to workforce development, foster collaboration among multiple stakeholders, and have a clear plan to measure impact and long-term sustainability. Applicants must be able to articulate how their projects will mitigate unemployment and enhance workforce adaptability within their communities. Overall, this initiative plays a vital role in promoting economic stability, fostering workforce resilience, and supporting regional growth in Canada's impacted communities.

Activities funded

Developing community workforce plans
Providing skills training and vocational education
Creating work experiences and internships
Conducting labor market assessments
Offering career counseling and job placement support

Examples of admissible projects:

Upgrade manufacturing capacity with new machinery and employee training

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Not-for-profit organizations involved in community development
For-profit organizations engaged in workforce training
Municipal governments supporting local employment initiatives
Indigenous organizations addressing community employment
Educational institutions developing training programs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

Activities not related to workforce re-skilling or community development
Projects that do not address mass layoffs or labor market challenges
Expenses beyond project implementation scope
Activities not aligned with community impact or recovery objectives
Unrelated operational costs or administrative expenses

Eligible geographic areas

Applicable to communities significantly impacted by economic disruptions in Canada

Selection criteria

Impact of the project on affected community and workforce
Innovation in workforce development approaches
Feasibility and sustainability of activities
Partnership and collaboration among stakeholders
Demonstrated need due to recent mass layoffs

How to apply

Identify a community impacted by mass layoffsPrepare a statement demonstrating the need and project scopeSubmit an expression of interest via email, including project detailsAwait assessment and feedback from the funding bodyIf invited, submit a detailed full application with supporting documents

Processing and Agreement

Application reviewed for eligibility and project feasibility
Assessment against program criteria and community impact
Notification of approval or rejection
Funding agreement signed before disbursement of funds
Progress and final reports required for continued funding

Contacts

EDSC.DGOP.ICPPPE-CROI.POB.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca

QC, Canada

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative?

Support for Workforce Transition in Impacted CommunitiesThe Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative offers targeted funding to organizations in communities where mass layoffs have occurred, aiming to support workforce planning, skills development, and employment transition. The program's primary goal is to facilitate workers' skills training and help local employers meet labor demands, thereby fostering community resilience and economic recovery. Detailed Overview of the Grant and Its Strategic Importance Driven by the need to support communities facing economic disruptions due to significant layoffs, this initiative provides financial aid to eligible organizations engaged in workforce development projects. By funding community-based projects that focus on identifying impacted workers, developing tailored training programs, and creating work experiences, the program aims to strengthen local labor markets and reduce unemployment challenges. This support is essential in regions where local labor market conditions make it difficult for workers to transition to new employment opportunities, especially in the aftermath of large-scale layoffs that can have lasting economic and social impacts. Organizations involved in this initiative must demonstrate their capacity to implement effective training solutions and align their projects with community needs and labor market demands. The initiative encourages collaboration among community-based groups, employers, training providers, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive workforce plans. These plans should address the specific needs of the affected workforce, including the identification of skill gaps and creating pathways to new, in-demand jobs. The projects eligible for funding can include a broad range of activities, such as skills assessment, vocational training, on-the-job work experiences, and career counseling, all aimed at supporting workers' successful transition into new employment sectors. Funding through this program is designed to be flexible, contingent on the scope and scale of the proposed projects, with an emphasis on community impact and sustainability. The funds can cover various expenses involved in project implementation, provided they align with the objectives of workforce re-skilling and community economic renewal. Alongside financial support, successful applicants benefit from technical advice, project development resources, and opportunities for stakeholder engagement, all intended to maximize the effectiveness of their initiatives. It is noteworthy that the program targets communities that have experienced significant economic shifts resulting from mass layoffs, ensuring that the support directly benefits regions most in need. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to workforce development, foster collaboration among multiple stakeholders, and have a clear plan to measure impact and long-term sustainability. Applicants must be able to articulate how their projects will mitigate unemployment and enhance workforce adaptability within their communities. Overall, this initiative plays a vital role in promoting economic stability, fostering workforce resilience, and supporting regional growth in Canada's impacted communities.