EHRC — Welcoming Newcomers

This grant provides wage subsidies for employers in Canada's electricity sector to recruit and integrate skilled newcomers. Funding is structured to cover specific onboarding costs, enhancing workforce diversity and addressing labour shortages.

• Subsidy covers up to 50% of wage costs, with a maximum of $10,000.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the employer organization.

• Firms who are seeking to hire full-time permanent newcomers.
• Firms whose primary activity involves generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.
• Firms involved in sector support including renewables, in areas such as R&D, business development, or energy efficiency.
• Firms engaged in the manufacturing of equipment and the provision of services necessary to electricity.
• Post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges, or polytechnics) supporting the electricity industry.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the "Welcoming Newcomers" program include employer organizations in the electricity sector, specifically those involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; sector support in renewables, R&D, business development, energy efficiency; and the manufacturing of equipment and service provision necessary for electricity. Post-secondary institutions supporting the electricity industry also qualify. Participants are newcomers to Canada within the last ten years, educated or professionally experienced internationally, and must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or newcomers/refugees with a valid open work permit.

Eligible expenses

The grant provides financial assistance for specific onboarding expenses for hiring foreign-trained professionals in the electricity sector.

• Up to 50% of the wage cost for the first few months of onboarding the participant.
• Maximum reimbursement amount of $10,000.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The program status is currently active, but not accepting new applications. Employers interested can be placed on a waitlist by emailing Yoana Turnin.
• The funding is provided under the Government of Canada's Foreign Credential Recognition Program.
• Employers should create a Learning Plan as part of the onboarding process for the participant.