People & Talent Program — Workforce Development Stream

Who is eligible?

• Businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profit organizations located in Northern Ontario.
• Colleges, universities, and research institutions may be eligible for up to five research positions, in addition to two regular internship positions.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries/wages and the employer’s portion of Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs) for a limited-term internship position of 52 weeks.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Optional benefits paid by the employer, such as sick pay and group medical or dental plans.
• Training expenses, computers, equipment, travel, and accommodations.
• Positions that displace existing employees.
• Positions involving general or manual labour, or requiring minimal training or training of less than six months.
• Clerical positions and positions that primarily involve retail or general sales.

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.

• Present your application for review under the program guidelines.

• Applications are reviewed to ensure the project meets the program guidelines.
• NOHFC may request additional information and review the project in more detail.
• The board of directors makes the final decision on the application.
• If funding is received, the recipient must demonstrate required insurance, including commercial general liability insurance of not less than $2 million per occurrence, with NOHFC and its directors, officers, agents, advisors, and representatives named as additional insureds.
• If a candidate is hired before funding approval and the application is later approved, the candidate will only be approved if the applicant can demonstrate a fair and transparent hiring process, candidate eligibility, and compliance with all other program requirements.

• The regional eligibility checker asks for the first three digits of the project location’s postal code to see if it is within NOHFC’s boundaries.
• If you are unsure, you can contact a member of the NOHFC team.