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Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway

Training centre capital planning support

Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: ontario.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 200,000
Up to 70% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Employers in Ontario.
See full eligibility

Overview

The Skills Development Fund Capital Stream SEED Pathway supports eligible Ontario organizations planning capital projects for training centres in skilled trades and other in-demand jobs. It provides up to 70% of Total Eligible Costs, to a maximum of $200,000 per project, for technical planning such as engineering or architectural plans, mechanical and electrical drawings, and construction cost estimates.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$200,000
Maximum share of project costs
70%
Financing goals
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Strengthen organizational capacity

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Youth (<40)
  • Women
Legal structures
For-profit business, Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Business Associations, Professional Associations, Unions
Target groups
Indigenous peoples, People with disabilities, Rural / Remote communities, Business owners / entrepreneurs, Academia / students, Low-income individuals / families
Scope
Municipal, Provincial

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2025
Periods: 1

Latest changes

SDF Capital Stream Q&A updated with Planning Act guidance

The SDF Capital Stream SEED and GROW Pathway Q&A now includes new Planning Act guidance for qualifying training-centre projects, including approvals that are no longer required and Greenbelt exclusions.

See more

The SDF Capital Stream SEED and GROW Pathway Q&A now adds a new section on Planning Act changes for qualifying training-centre projects funded in part through an MLITSD Skills Development Fund agreement. The guidance says site plan approvals, re-zoning or minor variance approvals, and parking requirements tied to zoning by-laws are no longer required for these qualifying projects, while building permits, environmental assessments, conservation-authority approvals, and other applicable permits may still apply. The updated guidance also states that the exemption does not apply on Greenbelt lands and notes that there may be some savings in planning application fees. It further clarifies that the Planning Act changes are limited to the covered training-centre projects and do not remove other health, safety, or municipal obligations.

Official source: ontario.ca
September 21, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Employers in Ontario.
  • Minister approved, non-college apprenticeship program Training Delivery Agents.
  • Non-profit organizations, including Indigenous band offices and Indigenous Skills and Employment Training agreement holders.
  • Professional/industry/employer associations.
  • Trade unions/union-affiliated organizations, municipalities, District Social Services Administration Boards, hospitals and Consolidated Municipal Service Managers.

Who is not eligible

  • District School Boards under the Education Act.
  • Publicly assisted colleges, universities, or Indigenous Institutes in Ontario.
  • Career colleges registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
  • Private universities with consent from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer degrees under the Post-Secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000.

Eligible expenses

  • Technical planning costs for the development of a capital project proposal.
  • Engineering or architectural plans.
  • Mechanical and electrical drawings.
  • Construction cost estimates.
  • Other related activities and expenses required to reach 40% design completion status.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Development of economic plans or business cases.
  • Equipment purchases.
  • Costs related to the delivery of Skills Development Activities, training or services provided by a Recipient.
  • In-kind contributions such as land or buildings already owned by the applicant.

Activities funded

  • Technical planning to develop a Capital Project proposal to 40% design status.

How to apply

  • Review the SDF Capital Stream SEED Pathway Guideline to determine whether you and your project are eligible.
  • Primary Applicants must complete and submit the application form and all applicable attachments.
  • An applicant may submit only one application per project for funding consideration through the SDF Capital Stream SEED Pathway; separate applications may be submitted for eligible projects in different locations or serving substantially different communities.
  • All applications must be completed electronically and submitted to TPON; scanned application forms will not be accepted.

Documents Needed

  • Roles and Responsibilities with Organizational Chart
  • Risk Management Plan
  • Documentation demonstrating control over the capital asset over the project term
  • At least one quote for each professional service used, along with a project budget attachment
  • Independent third-party appraisal of the land and/or building, if requesting land and/or building acquisition costs

Selection criteria

  • Applications are assessed and prioritized based on program requirements.
  • Applications are assessed and prioritized based on assessment criteria.
  • Applications are assessed and prioritized based on the overall demand for program funding.
  • Projects may be prioritized if they deliver a greater degree of intended policy outcomes relative to the funding requested.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure eligibility criteria are met.
  • The Province may contact the Primary Applicant if clarification is required.
  • Once the completed application has been submitted, an automated acknowledgement of receipt and file number will be sent to the organizational contact’s email provided.

Additional information

  • Applications are accepted on a continuous intake basis until funding is fully allocated.
  • SEED applicants can, but are not required to, apply to the GROW Pathway after successful completion of their SEED Architectural/Engineering Planning Project.

Contacts

SDFCapitalProgram@ontario.ca
1-855-216-2090

Official sources

Skills Development Fund: Capital Stream
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway Program

What is the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway?

The Skills Development Fund Capital Stream SEED Pathway supports eligible Ontario organizations planning capital projects for training centres in skilled trades and other in-demand jobs. It provides up to 70% of Total Eligible Costs, to a maximum of $200,000 per project, for technical planning such as engineering or architectural plans, mechanical and electrical drawings, and construction cost estimates.

How much funding can be received?

Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway program?

To be eligible for the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway program, you must: The applicant must be a legal entity authorized to operate or carry on business in Ontario. The project must support the creation or improvement of training space. The project must align with the policy objective, target sector or occupation, and participant groups.

What expenses are eligible under Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway?

Technical planning costs for the development of a capital project proposal. Engineering or architectural plans. Mechanical and electrical drawings. Construction cost estimates. Other related activities and expenses required to reach 40% design completion status.

Who can I contact for more information about the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway?

You can contact Government of Ontario by email at SDFCapitalProgram@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-855-216-2090.

Where is the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway available?

The Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway program is available the province of Ontario.