People & Talent Program — Workforce Development Stream

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.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

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.

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.

Eligible geographic areas

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.

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.

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.