How much funding can be received?

Employers can receive up to $5,000 in financial support to access training programs that will assist business recovery efforts and overcome challenges brought on by the pandemic.

grant_single_labels|projects

Eligible projects and activities for the Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy included employer-driven, short-term training programs aimed at business recovery and economic resilience.

Tuition fees or fees charged by the training provider
Mandatory student fees
Textbooks, software and other required materials
Learning material fees
Examination fees

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$3,000

Saskatoon

Implementation of a digital marketing strategy through comprehensive online advertising training.

$3,900

Regina

Enhancement of employee productivity through Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

$2,750

Edmonton

Introduction to data analytics training for improving operational decisions.

$4,800

Montreal

Skill development in cybersecurity to safeguard business operations.

$1,300

Toronto

Training in advanced Excel for enhancing data management skills.

$5,000

Calgary

Improvement of customer service skills through certification in hospitality management.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligible employers and trainees must adhere to specific criteria to receive funding through the Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy program.

Employers must be private or not-for-profit sector organizations.
Publicly funded organizations such as health regions, post-secondary training institutions, public libraries, municipalities, and school divisions are not eligible.
Trainees must have a valid Social Insurance Number and be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident of Canada, or temporary resident with authorization for emergency travel from the Government of Canada holding a valid Canadian work permit.
Trainees must be existing employees of the applying employer (currently on the payroll).
Training must be delivered by a Saskatchewan-based third-party that has been in business for one year and is not affiliated with the employer.
Training must be a minimum of 8 hours in length per trainee, completed within 4 months, and result in a credential.
Saskatchewan-based owners of small businesses (with 1-50 employees) may participate in funded training with their employees.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Yes, private and not-for-profit sector employers are eligible for the Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy. Publicly funded organizations, however, are not eligible for this funding.

Private sector employers
Not-for-profit sector employers
Small business owners with 1-50 employees

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Yes, publicly funded organizations are not eligible for this grant.

Health regions
Post-secondary training institutions
Public libraries
Municipalities
School divisions

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include various training-related costs that support employer-driven, short-term training programs for employees.

Tuition fees or fees charged by the training provider
Mandatory student fees
Textbooks, software, and other required materials
Learning material fees
Examination fees

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographic zone for this grant is Saskatchewan, Canada.

Saskatoon and Area
Regina and Area

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Ensure you have the required documentation completed and available to upload before starting the application. This includes:
The ISC Corporate Registry number for the business
Direct Deposit Payment Request Form for the business
Selected trainee name(s). If training more than 10 participants, complete the Application Trainees list
The training provider and program has been chosen, including dates of training and costs
For customized training, the Training Course Outline has been completed by the training provider
Step 2: Complete an online Employer Application.
Step 3: Submit the fully completed application by March 31, 2024. Applications submitted less than 10 business days prior to the start date of training may not be approved.
Step 4: Wait for Ministry of Immigration and Career Training staff to contact you within two business days to confirm receipt of the application and begin application assessment.
Step 5: If approved for funding, a contract will be negotiated for the funded training. Any changes to the contracted training must be reported to the ministry as soon as possible.
Step 6: Upon completion of final reporting, payment will be made to approved employers that entered into a training agreement with the government, including verification of actual expenditures.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy has specific modalities and requirements for eligibility, applications, and reimbursements.

Applications submitted less than 10 business days prior to the start date of training may not be approved.
Employers could make multiple applications to a maximum of $5,000 for the duration of the program, with a minimum amount per application of $1,000 per training program.
Trainees must have a valid Social Insurance Number and be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or temporary resident with authorization for emergency travel holding a valid Canadian work permit.
Training must be delivered by a Saskatchewan-based third-party that has been in business for one year and is not affiliated with the employer.
Training must be a minimum of 8 hours in length per trainee by the same training provider and completed within 4 months.
Training must result in a credential such as a record of completion, certificate, or grade.

grant_single_labels|contact

cansaskjobgrant@gov.sk.ca

306-964-1005

Apply to this program

The Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS)

The Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS) is a temporary program by the Government of Saskatchewan to support employers with financial aid for employee training in response to the challenges induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 31, 2024, this program is no longer accepting applications.

Detailed Explanation of the Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS)

The Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS) was a pivotal initiative to aid Saskatchewan-based businesses in their economic recovery post-COVID-19. It emerged as a vital lifeline to help employers access financial support for training their employees, thereby setting a foundation for a resilient economic revival in the province. Below, we delve into the various aspects of the RSTS, elucidating its purpose, benefits, eligibility criteria, application process, and what prospective applicants need to know.

Purpose of the RSTS

The primary objective of the RSTS was to mitigate the adverse impacts of the pandemic on businesses, ensuring that employers could continue their operations and contribute positively to Saskatchewan’s economic landscape. The program was designed with several key goals:

To support employers in overcoming challenges brought about by COVID-19.
To provide enhanced training support, ensuring access to training that sustains business activities while boosting competitiveness.
To lower barriers to hiring, retraining, and retaining workers, thereby accelerating the province's economic recovery.

Benefits of the RSTS

The RSTS program offered numerous benefits to Saskatchewan employers:

Financial Support: Employers received up to 100% reimbursement for approved training costs. This ensured they had the financial capacity to invest in the necessary training for their employees.
Flexibility: Employers had the autonomy to select the employees and the training programs that best suited their needs, giving them control over their business development strategies.
Tailored Training: Employers could collaborate with training providers to create customized programs that addressed specific skills gaps within their workforce.
Economic Recovery: By investing in training, businesses could better navigate the economic landscape post-pandemic, ensuring sustained operations and competitiveness.

Eligibility Criteria

The RSTS program had specific eligibility requirements for both employers and trainees, ensuring that the support reached those who needed it most. For Employers:Private and not-for-profit sector employers were eligible to apply.
Publicly funded organizations, such as health regions, post-secondary institutions, public libraries, municipalities, and school divisions, were not eligible.
For Trainees:Trainees needed a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
They had to be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident of Canada, or a temporary resident with authorization for emergency travel from the Government of Canada, holding a valid Canadian work permit.
Trainees had to be existing employees of the applying employer, meaning they should be on the company's payroll.
Temporary foreign workers, temporary residents without authorization for emergency travel and a valid Canadian work permit, and volunteers were not eligible.
Saskatchewan-based owners of small businesses, with 1-50 employees, could partake in funded training alongside their employees.
Eligible Training Costs:Tuition fees or fees charged by the training provider.
Mandatory student fees.
Textbooks, software, and other required materials.
Learning material fees.
Examination fees.

Training Requirements

The training programs funded by the RSTS had to meet specific criteria:

The training must be delivered by a Saskatchewan-based third-party that has been in business for at least one year and is not affiliated with the employer.
The training had to be a minimum of eight hours in length per trainee by the same provider and completed within four months.
The training must have resulted in a credential such as a record of completion, certificate, or grade.
The training had to start within four months of the application date to ensure relevance and timeliness.

Application Process

The application process for the RSTS was straightforward but required thorough preparation. Here’s a step-by-step guide as per the program guidelines: Before You Apply: Prior to commencing the application, employers were required to gather essential documentation:

The ISC Corporate Registry number for the business.
A completed Direct Deposit Payment Request Form.
A list of selected trainees, including names and, if training more than ten participants, an Application Trainees list.
Details of the chosen training provider and program, including dates of training and costs.
A Training Course Outline for customized training prepared by the training provider.
Application Submission:Interested employers were required to complete an online Employer Application.
Applications submitted less than ten business days prior to the start date of training might not have been approved, emphasizing the need for timely applications.
Only fully completed applications received by March 31, 2024, were accepted. Applications were assessed and approved based on available funding.
A completed application did not guarantee funding. Training requests had to be approved and a contract negotiated between the employer and the Government of Saskatchewan prior to the start date of training to be eligible for program funding.

Post-Approval Process

Once approved for funding:

A contract was negotiated to outline the funded training.
Any changes to the contracted training had to be reported to the ministry as soon as possible.
Payment was made at the end of the training, upon completion of final reporting and verification of actual expenditures.

Why the RSTS Was Important

The RSTS played a crucial role in the post-pandemic recovery of Saskatchewan's economy. Here’s why the program was significant:

Skills Enhancement: By funding training, the program helped in enhancing the skills of the workforce, making them more adaptable and competent to meet new challenges.
Business Resilience: Employers could better withstand economic uncertainties by investing in the skills of their employees, ensuring business continuity and growth.
Economic Development: A well-trained workforce contributes to increased productivity and competitiveness, which are essential for economic development.
Inclusive Recovery: By supporting small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, the program ensured a more inclusive recovery, benefiting a broader spectrum of the economy.

Conclusion

The Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS) was more than just a financial aid program; it was a strategic move toward fortifying Saskatchewan’s workforce and economy in the wake of COVID-19. Although the program is no longer accepting applications as of March 31, 2024, its impact continues to resonate through the trained employees and strengthened businesses that benefited from it. For those who missed this opportunity, other programs like the Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant offer similar support, ensuring continuous opportunities for skill development and economic growth. For more detailed information or assistance with future funding programs, businesses are encouraged to reach out to the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training or explore other available grants.