Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) program include Nova Scotia employers who fall into specific categories. Applicants can apply under either the GTO Grow or GTO Innovate streams, depending on their circumstances.- For GTO Grow: - Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. - Start-up companies incorporated within two years of the application date. - Social enterprises, non-profit organizations, or registered charities with recognized standing. - Employers must hire a recent graduate into a new, permanent, full-time position paying at least $37,500 annually, related to the graduate's field of study.- For GTO Innovate: - For-profit businesses that employ no more than 200 full-time employees. - Employers must hire a recent master's or PhD graduate for an innovation-focused job paying at least $60,000 annually.Both streams offer an additional 10% subsidy in the first year if the graduate hired belongs to certain underrepresented or minority groups. Graduate candidates must have completed a post-secondary program within one year prior to starting work, and the position must not receive other government wage funding. Apprentices in registered trades are not eligible for this program.

Who is not eligible

The GTO program guidelines specify certain restrictions on eligibility primarily related to the status of the company and receipt of other funding. However, specific types of companies or industries that cannot apply are not explicitly listed beyond these conditions.

• Employers receiving other government wage funding for the same position.
• Employers intending to hire apprentices in registered trades, as a separate START program is available for apprentices.

Eligible expenses

The Graduate to Opportunity program provides financial assistance towards the salaries of newly hired graduates in specified roles.

• Salaries for recent graduates hired into new, permanent, full-time positions.
• Additional subsidies for eligible graduates who belong to designated groups (e.g., Mi'kmaq or Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, visible minority, person with a disability, 2SLGBTQIA+ community, under-represented female occupations, international students).

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies and organizations located within the province of Nova Scotia. Its primary aim is to bolster local workforce development and retain young professionals in the region.

• Businesses located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The program provides an additional 10% salary subsidy in the first year for hiring graduates from certain underrepresented groups.
• The graduate must not have been employed by the employer on a permanent basis before the GTO application approval.
• The application review process usually takes about 2 weeks.
• Employers must create or access a LaMPSS Account to apply online.