Innovate BC — Innovator Skills Initiative
BC, Canada
Wage subsidy for B.C's tech sector
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateOctober 20, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Innovate BC
- Government of British Columbia
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $10,000 to hire a new employee from an under-represented group to fill a business or tech-related role.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to companies that operate within the province of British Columbia, Canada. The program aims to support the growth of B.C.'s tech sector by helping under-represented individuals gain employment.
- Businesses and organizations located in British Columbia, Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$10,000
Onboard a female data analyst to enhance our data management capabilities
$10,000
Onboard a person with disabilities as a tech support specialist
$10,000
Employ a veteran as a network administrator to manage IT infrastructure
$10,000
Hire a recent immigrant project manager for IT project coordination
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and hiring practices.
- The applicant must be a B.C.-based technology business/organization hiring for a business or tech role.
- The applicant can also be a B.C.-based non-tech business/organization, including public body and Indigenous community, hiring for a tech role.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Innovator Skills Initiative targets employers and employees in the tech sector within British Columbia, Canada, with a focus on increasing diversity and supporting under-represented groups.### Employer Eligibility:- B.C.-based technology business/organization hiring for a business or tech role.- B.C.-based non-tech business/organization, including public bodies and Indigenous communities, hiring for a tech role.### Employee Eligibility:- Individuals who self-identify as belonging to an under-represented group.- Must be living in B.C. and eligible to work in B.C.- New hire on or after April 1, 2023.- Completed training or education on or after December 1, 2019.### Placement Eligibility:- Minimum 4-month work period.- Start no earlier than April 1, 2023, and end no later than October 31, 2023.- Minimum average of 15 hours per week.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies are not eligible for the Innovator Skills Initiative grant:
- Companies based outside of British Columbia
- Companies hiring for non-tech roles in non-tech organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant provides support for employers in B.C.'s tech sector to hire under-represented individuals, addressing both skills shortages and diversity in the industry. It focuses on creating paid work experiences and supporting Indigenous placements.
- Hiring new employees from under-represented groups for tech or tech-related roles.
- Providing a 4-month minimum work placement for new hires.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant provides funds to help employers cover specific expenses when hiring new employees.
- Salary supplementation for new employee hire.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The grant has evaluation and selection criteria. The applications are assessed based on the following:
- Applicant's eligibility as a B.C.-based technology business/organization or a non-tech business/organization hiring for a tech role
- Employee's self-identification as belonging to an under-represented group and meeting specific criteria
- Placement details including duration and start/end dates
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Read the Program Guidelines
- Familiarize yourself with the details of the Innovator Skills Initiative, including objectives and requirements.
- Understand the eligibility criteria and key dates for the grant.
- Step 2: Submit the Application Form
- Complete the application form provided by Innovate BC.
- Include all required information and documentation as specified in the application guidelines.
- Ensure the application is submitted before the deadline through the designated platform or submission process as indicated by Innovate BC.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here is additional relevant information regarding the Innovator Skills Initiative grant:
- Grants are processed with each step of the application (Employer Application, Employee Confirmation, and Employee Intake) taking up to 30 business days.
- The grant is disbursed after the work term is completed, although early claims may be considered under specific conditions.
- Employers can apply for the grant retroactively for work terms that started after April 1, 2023.
- International students on work permits or visas in B.C. are eligible, provided they have written authorization to work in Canada.
- Employers will be supported with resources and links for recruiting, retaining, and developing employees from under-represented groups.
grant_single_labels|contact
604-335-2495
Apply to this program
Empowering Diversity Through the Innovator Skills Initiative
This grant supports B.C. employers in hiring new employees from under-represented groups within the tech sector, offering up to $10,000 per new hire. It aims to broaden diversity while helping businesses overcome skill shortages.
Guide to the Innovator Skills Initiative and Its Strategic Benefits
The Innovator Skills Initiative, spearheaded by Innovate BC, is an impactful program designed to address two pivotal challenges within British Columbia's tech industry: the need to increase diversity in hiring practices and the persistent talent shortages faced by companies across the sector. By offering financial incentives, specifically grants of up to $10,000 per new hire, to businesses willing to broaden their hiring criteria to include individuals from under-represented groups, this initiative not only supports social equity but also caters to the economic needs of the tech ecosystem.
Primarily, the initiative targets B.C.-based businesses hiring for tech or tech-related roles and underscores the importance of including Indigenous community members and other under-represented groups in the workforce. By focusing on this segment, the initiative opens up numerous opportunities for individuals who historically may have been excluded from such high-demand fields. Participating employers are not only addressing diversity but are simultaneously tapping into a wider talent pool that can introduce novel ideas and fresh perspectives, essential for innovation and growth.
Additionally, companies benefit from access to resources provided by Innovate BC and its associated partners, such as the Information and Communications Technology Council's Work-Integrated Learning Digital and the BC Tech Association's Digital Lift. These resources help employers navigate the recruitment process, enhance retention strategies, and empower development approaches to create a more inclusive work environment. This comprehensive support ensures that once businesses engage in the hiring process, they are equipped to offer a sustainable and welcoming workplace environment.
The program criteria, focused on accommodating new placements from as early as April 1, 2023, with engagements ending no later than October 31, 2023, allows for flexible planning. Whether a company is prepared to engage new talent for long-term roles or wishes to experiment with short-term projects, the initiative provides a supportive framework. Employers must ensure that the period of employment is at least four months, with an average commitment of 15 hours per week, allowing enough time for meaningful engagement and mutual evaluation of fit between employer and employee.
Moreover, this initiative allows for grant stacking, provided the total does not exceed the salary of the employee, thereby enabling companies to strategically blend various funding sources for optimal talent acquisition. Bearing in mind that retroactive applications are feasible for recent hires dating back to April 1, 2023, companies have the flexibility to plan their recruitment drives aggressively and in alignment with their strategic hiring timelines.
Eligible employees must be residents of B.C., ensuring that the talent pool benefits the local economy directly, reinforcing B.C.'s position as a leader in tech innovation. The emphasis on modern education, with eligibilities tied to those who have completed their training or education post-December 2019, guarantees that the workforce is not only diverse but also equipped with current and relevant skills tailored to the evolving industry requirements.
Ultimately, the Innovator Skills Initiative represents an opportunity for both employers and potential employees to transform the B.C. tech landscape into a model of inclusion and innovation. By catalyzing this change, the initiative supports businesses in overcoming current skill shortages while embedding sustainable diversity practices that are crucial in creating a competitive and thriving tech sector in British Columbia.
