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Skills Development Program
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Canada
Funds short-term training to build essential employability skills
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Skills Development Program provides up to $26,000 in funding for up to 52 weeks to help eligible Northwest Territories residents participate in full-time, short-term training that develops or upgrades essential employability skills. Eligible activities may include literacy and numeracy, academic upgrading, workplace essential skills, life skills, employment readiness and pre-employment training, skill-specific training, and post-secondary programs leading to a formal credential.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Obtain certifications
- Develop employee skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 26,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Activities funded
- Full-time literacy and numeracy training programs.
- Full-time academic upgrading (as a bridge to further short-term training, within the 52-week period).
- Full-time workplace essential skills training.
- Full-time employment readiness or pre-employment training programs.
- Full-time skill-specific training, including post-secondary programs leading to a formal credential.
Documents Needed
- Application for Service form
- Letter of acceptance from the training institution
- Training program information and costs
- Application for Financial Assistance form
- Resume (copy)
Eligibility
- The applicant must reside in the Northwest Territories (NWT).
- The applicant must be at least 16 years old (of school-leaving age).
- The applicant must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person entitled to work in Canada.
- The project must be full-time skills development training (at least 60% of a full course load or a 30-hours-per-week training program) and be completed within up to 52 weeks.
- The training provider must be approved by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE).
Eligible expenses
- Tuition fees (up to $7,200).
- Books.
- Course materials.
- Software and related fees (up to $550).
- Tools, equipment and required clothing (up to $750).
- Living allowance and living-away allowance.
- Child care costs.
- Travel expenses.
- Licence or certificate fees.
- Special equipment and supports.
Eligible geographic areas
- Northwest Territories (NWT)
Selection criteria
- Priority given to participants whose career objectives match workforce needs.
- Assessment by the Professional Development Officer (PDO) of the participant's preparedness and relevance of the career/training plan.
- Conditional approval upon proof of acceptance into the targeted training (official acceptance letter containing the required information).
- Continuation of funding linked to attendance and deemed acceptable progress (support may be withdrawn in case of frequent absences or insufficient progress).
How to apply
1
Contact an ECE Service Centre
- Contact your ECE Regional Service Centre
- Meet with a Career Development Officer (CDO) to discuss the Skills Development Program
2
Submit an Application for Service
- Complete and submit an Application for Service form to the CDO
3
Complete assessment and action plan
- Complete the assessment and/or career counselling with the CDO
- Develop a Career Action Plan, including an analysis of financial need
4
Select an approved training program
- Choose a full-time training program from an ECE-approved education or training provider
5
Gather proof of acceptance
- Obtain a formal letter of acceptance from the institution
- Ensure it includes program details, dates, tuition/material costs, and expected certification
6
Provide funding and program details
- Submit required program information and costs to the CDO
- Disclose any other funding sources (including Employment Insurance) and provide written confirmation of amounts
7
Review and sign approval letter
- Receive the approval letter outlining responsibilities and financial support
- Read and sign the ECE Approval Letter
Processing and Agreement
- A Career Development Officer (CDO) assesses the application and provides an assessment and/or career counselling to confirm the program is the appropriate support.
- The CDO works with the applicant to complete a Career Action Plan and assess readiness for academic upgrading or skills training.
- The applicant must provide proof of acceptance into an approved training program before funding can be approved.
- If approved, ECE issues an approval letter outlining the applicant’s responsibilities and the financial support they will receive.
- After approval, ECE provides ongoing monitoring and requires proof of successful completion; a 12-week follow-up survey is conducted after training.
Additional information
- Funding is intended to support full-time studies only; part-time studies are not considered.
- After approval, payments are typically issued monthly (alternate payment frequency may be discussed).
- Participants must regularly attend training and make acceptable progress to remain eligible for ongoing support.
- A 12-week follow-up survey is conducted after training to confirm employment status; not completing it may result in recovery of funds.
Contacts
1-867-777-7365
