GNWT — Wage Subsidy Program
Last Update: July 22, 2025
NT, Canada
Supports employers hiring and training NWT residents with limited experience
GNWT — Wage Subsidy Program at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $30,500
- Up to 20% of project cost
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Wage Subsidies And Interns
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- Government of the Northwest Territories
Status
Open
Overview of the GNWT — Wage Subsidy Program program
The GNWT Wage Subsidy Program offers up to $30,500 to employers in the Northwest Territories to offset the costs of hiring and training local residents with minimal work experience or education. The program aims to provide work experience and training for up to 52 weeks, enabling participants to obtain meaningful long-term employment through wage subsidies and support for special equipment.
Financing terms and conditions
- Maximum wage subsidy of $30,000 per client.
- Up to $500 available for special equipment costs per client.
- Total maximum financial assistance of $30,500 per client.
- Employers must contribute a minimum of 20% toward wages and benefits above the subsidy.
Eligible projects & activities
- Hiring and providing on-the-job work experience for Northwest Territories residents with minimal prior work experience and education.
- Offering workplace-based training and skill development opportunities for eligible new employees to enhance their long-term employability.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 30,000
Hiring a youth apprentice for basic carpentry and tool training
$ 29,000
Hiring an entry-level retail clerk and providing point-of-sale training
$ 30,500
Training a new delivery driver with supervised route experience
$ 30,000
Onboarding an entry-level kitchen worker with food safety training
$ 29,500
Supporting a new administrative assistant with training and desk equipment
$ 30,500
Providing mentorship and training for a landscaping crew helper
Eligibility criteria of the GNWT — Wage Subsidy Program program
- The applicant must be a registered business, industry association, local housing authority, non-government organization, Indigenous organization, or a local, municipal, or Indigenous government.
- Registered businesses must have been in operation for at least six months.
- The application must be submitted within three months of the individual starting the position for which the subsidy is being requested.
Who is eligible?
- Registered businesses operating for at least six months
- Industry associations
- Local housing authorities
- Non-government organizations
- Indigenous organizations
- Local, municipal, or Indigenous governments
Who is not eligible
- Companies seeking funding for federal or territorial government positions.
- Employers intending to hire immediate family members (such as parents, siblings, spouses, children, or in-laws) under the program, unless in exceptional circumstances.
Eligible expenses
- Wage subsidies for the hiring of eligible employees.
- Costs of special equipment, up to a specified limit.
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses, organizations, and governments located in the Northwest Territories.
How to apply to the GNWT — Wage Subsidy Program program
1
Contact ECE Regional Service Centre
- Contact your local ECE Regional Service Centre to begin the application process
- Obtain general information and guidance on the program
2
Complete Employer Application Form
- Meet with a Career Development Officer
- Complete the Employer Application form with the Officer's assistance
3
Submit job description
- Provide a detailed job description for the position
4
Prepare Employee Development Plan
- Include an Employee Development Plan outlining training and growth
5
Submit Application for Service
- Ensure that the employee submits a fully completed and signed Application for Service
6
Provide updated resume
- The employee must provide an updated copy of their resume
Additional information
- There is no fixed application deadline; the program operates on a continuous intake basis.
- Employers must apply within three months of the employee's start date for the position in question.
- Additional support funding may be available for Persons with Disabilities participating in the program.
- Immediate family members of the employer are generally ineligible, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Contact Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 678-8065
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