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Employment Ontario

Help employers train workers in Ontario

Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: ontario.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 375,000
Up to 100% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Individual private-sector employers.
See full eligibility

Overview

Ontario Job Grant offers up to $10,000 per participant to private and not-for-profit employers in Ontario, with up to $15,000 for employers with fewer than 100 employees training new hires previously unemployed. The program supports workforce training, upskilling, tuition, exams, materials, travel, and disability supports.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$375,000
Maximum share of project costs
100%
Financing goals
  • Attract or retain talent
  • Develop workforce skills

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Newcomers to Canada
  • Rural or Northern Residents
  • Canadians
  • Youth (<40)
Legal structures
For-profit business

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Employment Ontario content updated

Employment Ontario now includes a new Skills Advance Ontario funding section, new eligibility details for employers and service providers, and a maintenance notice affecting online booking.

See more

Employment Ontario has been updated with a new Skills Advance Ontario section that expands the program’s funding focus to employers and employment and training service providers responding to trade disruptions, tariffs, and related labour-market pressures. The page now includes detailed eligibility requirements, employer and participant criteria, and an added system maintenance notice that temporarily affects online appointment booking. Contact phone numbers and core contact channels remain unchanged.

Official source: ontario.ca
April 15, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Individual private-sector employers.
  • Individual not-for-profit employers.

Who is not eligible

  • Federal, provincial, or municipal government administrations or agencies
  • Designated broader public sector organizations
  • District social services boards
  • Employment Ontario service providers or integrated employment services managers
  • Organizations currently receiving other public funds for the same or substantially similar training for the same participant(s), and employers that have misused similar funding, failed to comply with an Ontario agreement, or owe a debt to the Government of Ontario

Eligible expenses

  • Tuition and other fees charged by the training provider
  • Mandatory fees and exam fees
  • Manuals, software, and other required training materials, including clothing, tools, and equipment
  • Travel expenses for participants, only if the distance is greater than 24 km one way
  • Measures of support for persons with disabilities

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Contributions, subscription fees, annual fees, and professional association fees
  • Training required by law, including training under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
  • Executive training and exam preparation courses, including MBA, CFA, LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT
  • Training on a provider's own product or service, business consulting services, conferences or workshops, program development, and payment of lobbyists or consultants to help with the application
  • Apprenticeship training, training longer than one year, training for business owners, and travel expenses outside approved dates, for 24 km or less one way, accommodation, or meals

Activities funded

  • Training current employees to upgrade their skills
  • Training new employees who have a job offer before training begins
  • Training that helps employers meet workforce needs and support employee retention

How to apply

  • Complete and submit the online application form through the SOE online portal.
  • If funding is approved, register with Transfer Payment Ontario and finalize the transfer payment agreement.

Documents Needed

  • Three quotes from three different training providers
  • A completed employer attestation form
  • A copy of the permanent or conditional offer of employment for each newly hired participant

Selection criteria

  • Alignment with program objectives, including workforce development, employee retention, and supporting business needs
  • Quality and relevance of the training, with a clear program design and measurable skills-based outcomes
  • Value for money, based on the submitted quotes, training duration and intensity, comparable training costs and location, recognized industry credentials, availability, and fit with expected outcomes
  • Training outcomes and impact, including certification, retention, promotion, or a better job
  • Priority is given first to training that supports a new or better job, including retaining employees who have received a layoff notice, and to employers that have not received SOE funding in the previous six months; funding decisions also depend on current program demand and the number of applications received in the region

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are reviewed against the program requirements, and the Ministry may contact applicants to clarify or support the information provided.
  • Successful applicants are contacted to finalize training activities and the budget in an enforceable EPT and to register with Transfer Payment Ontario.
  • Funding is distributed according to the terms of the EPT, and costs incurred before the EPT effective date are not eligible for reimbursement.
  • The Ministry may adjust, withhold, or recover funds if EPT conditions are not met, including failure to deliver training or use of funds inconsistent with the EPT.
  • All applicants are informed of the outcome of their application, whether successful or not.

Contacts

OntarioJobGrant@ontario.ca
1-800-387-5656

Official sources

ontario.ca

Official page

Ontario Job Grant

Application form

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Frequently Asked Questions about the Employment Ontario Program

What is the Employment Ontario?

Ontario Job Grant offers up to $10,000 per participant to private and not-for-profit employers in Ontario, with up to $15,000 for employers with fewer than 100 employees training new hires previously unemployed. The program supports workforce training, upskilling, tuition, exams, materials, travel, and disability supports.

How much funding can be received?

Employment Ontario Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $375,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Employment Ontario program?

To be eligible for the Employment Ontario program, you must: The applicant must be a private-sector or not-for-profit employer. The employer must have a physical location in Ontario and have operated actively for at least one year before applying. The training must be delivered in Ontario by an eligible training provider and completed within 52 weeks.

What expenses are eligible under Employment Ontario?

Tuition and other fees charged by the training provider Mandatory fees and exam fees Manuals, software, and other required training materials, including clothing, tools, and equipment Travel expenses for participants, only if the distance is greater than 24 km one way Measures of support for persons with disabilities

Who can I contact for more information about the Employment Ontario?

You can contact Government of Ontario by email at OntarioJobGrant@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-800-387-5656.

Where is the Employment Ontario available?

The Employment Ontario program is available the province of Ontario.