How much funding can be received?

Get up to $35,000/year to cover up to 50% of an intern’s salary and employer’s portion of MERCs (for-profit businesses) and up to 90% coverage for not-for-profit organizations.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant provides structured funding options aimed at enhancing a skilled workforce in Northern Ontario. The funding is designed to support various entities, ensuring they maximize the benefit for workforce development projects.

Funding is provided in the form of a conditional contribution.
For eligible municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profit organizations, the contribution covers up to 90% of an intern’s salary and employer’s portion of Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs), capped at $35,000 per year.
For eligible businesses, the funding covers up to 50% of an intern’s salary and employer’s portion of MERCs, also capped at $35,000 per year.
The overall NOHFC funding, combined with other government sources, typically does not exceed 50% of eligible costs for businesses and 90% of eligible costs for municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profits.
Funding is determined by the NOHFC Board of Directors, and the availability of funds is limited, meaning not all projects that meet criteria are guaranteed funding.

grant_single_labels|projects

The Workforce Development Stream encourages partnerships among businesses in Northern Ontario by funding internship positions that address local labor shortages and advance professional skill development. Projects eligible for this grant contribute to the growth of Northern Ontario's workforce by supporting new entrants, career transitioners, and the unemployed or underemployed.

Funding salaries and mandatory employment-related costs for 52-week internships.
Creating opportunities for individuals not previously involved in NOHFC-funded internships.
Offering positions that address labor shortages or develop skilled trades or professions in Northern Ontario.
Supporting projects leading to potential full-time, permanent employment.
Developing structured work and training plans with direct onsite supervision.
Providing support for eligible apprenticeships with necessary off-site training, accommodating extended placement periods.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 22,500

Launching a graphic design internship program at a financial cooperative

$ 30,000

Establishing a new internship program in web development at Toronto's tech startup

$ 34,200

Art Gallery offering a curatorial internship for emerging artists

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the profile of the organization and its operational presence in Northern Ontario.

The applicant must be a business, municipality, Indigenous community, or not-for-profit organization located in Northern Ontario.
The applicant must have been in operation for at least one year.
The applicant must have a minimum of one full-time employee.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profit organizations located in Northern Ontario that have been in operation for at least one year and have a minimum of one full-time employee are eligible to apply for the Workforce Development Stream grant.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain types of positions and employment opportunities to ensure alignment with its workforce development objectives.

Positions that involve general, manual labor or require minimal training.
Clerical positions focused on duties like answering phones, filing, or general office work.
Retail and general sales positions.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This Workforce Development Stream grant facilitates building a stronger workforce in Northern Ontario through internships. The eligible projects focus on providing substantial work experience and skill development for new entrants, career transitioners, and the unemployed or underemployed individuals.

Offering internships for new workforce entrants, career transitioners, or the unemployed or underemployed entering a new field.
Providing apprenticeship internships that include necessary off-site training or education, with consideration for extended placement periods.
Facilitating internships that support participants in achieving certifications, designations, or completing registered apprenticeships requiring more than 52 weeks of full-time experience.
Developing positions that address labor shortages or bolster skilled trades and professions in Northern Ontario.
Creating fair and transparent selection processes for recruiting suitable internship candidates.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to enterprises and organizations based in Northern Ontario, emphasizing local workforce development through strategic partnerships. Funding is designed to support eligible projects by applying targeted expertise and financial resources.

Businesses established within the Northern Ontario region.
Municipal entities operating in Northern Ontario.
Indigenous communities located in Northern Ontario.
Not-for-profit organizations serving communities in Northern Ontario.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria focused on addressing workforce needs and skill development in Northern Ontario.

The extent to which the position addresses a labour shortage or supports the development of a skilled trade or profession in Northern Ontario.
The opportunity for the placement to result in a full-time, permanent job with the applicant or another Northern Ontario business.
The quality of the skill development opportunity and the potential for the position to provide specific and recognizable transferrable skills.
The quality of the position’s work/training plan and direct onsite supervision methods.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Assess Eligibility
- Ensure your organization qualifies as a business, municipality, Indigenous community, or not-for-profit in Northern Ontario.
- Verify that you have been in operation for at least one year and employ a minimum of one full-time employee.
- Confirm that the proposed internship meets eligibility criteria for candidates and project costs.
Step 2: Internship Planning
- Develop a detailed work/training plan for the internship position.
- Prepare a job description outlining skills development and supervision strategies.
Step 3: Application Preparation
- Gather necessary documents and information such as insurance certificates, project budgets, and proof of existing employment structure.
- Ensure all documents comply with NOHFC program requirements.
Step 4: Job Advertisement
- Post the internship position in at least one public forum to demonstrate a fair and transparent selection process.
- Collect proof of job posting, including opening and closing dates.
Step 5: Submit Application
- Access the NOHFC application portal and complete the online application form.
- Upload all required documents, including the project proposal, job description, and proof of job advertisement.
- Submit your application before the funding round deadline.
Step 6: Confirmation and Follow-up
- Receive confirmation of submission from NOHFC.
- Track your application status and be prepared to provide additional information if requested by NOHFC.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Applicants must demonstrate proof of commercial general liability insurance with a certificate from their insurer.
Applicants should ensure that the insurance policy includes NOHFC and its representatives as additional insureds.
If hiring before receiving funding approval, applicants bear the financial risk if the application is declined.
The selection process must be fair and transparent, requiring a public job advertisement.
Exceptions to some conditions may apply for apprenticeship internships or small communities with limited labour bases.

Apply to this program

Strengthening Northern Ontario's Workforce Through the Workforce Development Stream

The Workforce Development Stream is a crucial initiative aimed at enhancing the workforce in Northern Ontario by supporting businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profit organizations through internship opportunities. This program is dedicated to facilitating workforce growth by financially backing the development and hiring of interns to address labor shortages and foster skill development in the region.

In-Depth Exploration of the Workforce Development Stream

This grant stream is focused on empowering employers in Northern Ontario to access financial support for creating internship positions that can significantly contribute to tackling regional labor market challenges. By channeling funding into internships, the Workforce Development Stream strives to cultivate a skilled labor force through strategic partnerships, addressing the needs of businesses as well as providing meaningful career pathways for new entrants, career transitioners, and unemployed or underemployed individuals over 18 years old.

The program is keenly structured to provide substantial support for eligible organizations such as businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profit organizations with at least one full-time employee, and that have been operational for a minimum of one year. The scope of the program extends to funding a portion of salaries, wages, and applicable employment-related costs such as the Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance, which are crucial to offer competitive and sustainable job opportunities for interns.

One of the salient features of the Workforce Development Stream is its focus on addressing specific metrics that impact Northern Ontario's employment landscape. It evaluates the extent to which positions fill labor shortages, support skilled trade development, and present potential career continuity either within the employing organization or in other regional businesses. Additionally, the internships are intended to be more than mere jobs – they are strategic placements driving skill acquisition and professional growth.

A critical criterion for evaluation involves the quality and comprehensiveness of the skill development opportunities proposed by the internship. The aim is to ensure interns gain transferrable skills that are not only applicable to their specific roles but also foster broader career development. Effective supervisory methods and robust work/training plans further distinguish successful applications.

Funding arrangements under the program are tiered based on the type of organization. Municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profit entities stand to gain up to 90% of the intern's salary and employment-related costs, capped at $35,000 annually. Businesses receive support covering up to 50% of these costs. Such financial backing is strategically designed to catalyze capacity building within eligible groups, sustaining workforce initiatives that align with Northern Ontario’s economic growth objectives.

Importantly, the grant explicitly prescribes that funded positions should not displace existing employees or involve roles that are rudimentary or clerical in nature. This safeguard ensures that the funded positions are genuinely new opportunities geared towards skill enhancement and professional enrichment.

To maintain program integrity and efficacy, the Workforce Development Stream mandates that all participating organizations undertake a transparent recruitment process for interns, ensuring fairness and meritocracy in selections. Furthermore, successful funding applicants are also required to uphold comprehensive insurance standards, protecting all stakeholders involved.

Ultimately, the Workforce Development Stream underlines a strategic commitment to fortifying the workforce in Northern Ontario by integrating education, employment, and community development into a cohesive framework. It empowers organizations to cultivate talent while equipping individuals with the skills necessary to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the local economy. This grant not only fuels immediate employment opportunities but also nurtures the region’s long-term socio-economic prosperity by building a versatile and dynamic workforce equipped for future challenges.