How much funding can be received?

Access up to $10 million per project to help Canadians at all skill levels improve their foundational and transferable skills to better prepare for, get and keep a job, and adapt and succeed at work.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant is open to organizations operating nationally, regionally, and remotely across Canada. Eligible geographical areas include all provinces and territories, as well as remote communities with specific characteristics.

National projects covering activities in more than one province or territory, including online presence.
Regional projects operating within a province or territory and targeting certain demographic groups.
Remote areas with a population of less than 1,000 and limited access to larger municipality services.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$550,000

Developing an online platform for remote skills training for rural areas around Winnipeg

$250,000

Launching a digital literacy program for unemployed adults

$350,000

Creating sustainability partnerships for a community training center

$450,000

Implementing a language skills training program for new immigrants

$120,000

Developing a workplace skills assessment tool for small businesses

$650,000

Providing vocational training to indigenous communities

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to both the applicant organization and the project criteria.

Your organization must be one of the following:
- Not-for-profit organization
- For-profit organization (provided the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives)
- Labour union
- Municipal government
- Indigenous organization including:
  - band council
  - tribal council
  - self-government entity
- Provincial and territorial government, institution, agency and Crown Corporation
The project must have a duration that does not exceed March 31, 2024.
The project scope must cover one or more of the following:
- National in scope, involving activities in more than one province or territory, including online delivery
- Regional in scope, involving activities within one province or territory targeting racialized groups or Official Language Minority Communities
- Remote in scope, involving activities in areas with a population of less than 1,000 and limited access to services of larger municipalities
The project must request no more than $10 million in funding per project.
The project must focus on designing and implementing training to support individuals in improving their foundational and transferable skills and/or developing assessment tools and training resources.
The project must enable the broad adoption and uptake of the Skills for Success Model through a dissemination and sustainability strategy to share project results with organizations and employers.
The project must ensure access to skills training opportunities without being affected by one's gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, including a strategy to achieve gender equality in the delivery of training.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible applicants for the Skills for Success Program – Training and Tools Stream include a variety of organizations that fulfill non-commercial intents and align with the program priorities and objectives.

Not-for-profit organizations
For-profit organizations (if the activity is non-commercial and not intended to generate profit)
Labour unions
Municipal governments
Indigenous organizations, including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities
Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies, and Crown Corporations

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The Skills for Success Program – Training and Tools Stream aims to enhance Canadians' foundational and transferable skills through innovative training and resource development. It targets projects that design training and create assessment tools to address current skills needs in the labour market.

Design and implement training to improve foundational and transferable skills, ensuring individuals are better prepared for on-the-job demands.
Develop assessment tools and training resources to support skill development.
Engage in collaboration with employers or employer organizations to align training with industry and occupational requirements.
Establish partnerships across sectors, regions, industries, or with community groups and educational institutions to drive training success.
Ensure online or accessible format availability of assessment tools and training resources at no cost to Canadians.
Integrate dissemination and sustainability strategies to facilitate the wide adoption of successful skills models.
Implement strategies to ensure gender equality in access to training opportunities.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the successful design and implementation of training and assessment tools.

Costs associated with personnel involved in project-specific training design and delivery.
Development and production costs for assessment tools and training resources.
Expenses for partnership collaboration and stakeholder engagement activities.
Technology and software expenses if directly related to training development and delivery.
Project management and administrative costs necessary for project completion.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects under the Skills for Success Program – Training and Tools Stream focus on how well the project addresses the program objectives and additional selection considerations.

Organization's capacity: Detail how your organization has the relevant experience to deliver this project effectively.
Project objectives: Explain how your project objectives align with Objective A (Design and implement training) and/or Objective B (Develop assessment tools and resources).
Project activities: Describe how project activities align with the program objectives and provide clear, feasible timelines.
Project results: Define the specific, concrete, and measurable expected results and outline your strategy for gathering, measuring, and reporting these results.
Project costs: Justify the use of funds demonstrating that costs are reasonable and support project activities effectively.
Additional funding considerations include prioritizing projects that target social-emotional skills and/or digital skills, and projects that address the needs of under-represented groups in the labour market.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Gather Supporting Documents and Information
- Complete the application form.
- Prepare the budget detail template.
- If focusing on Objective A, include partnership letters.
Step 2: Decide How to Apply
- Choose to apply online, by email, or by mail.
Step 3: Apply Online (if chosen)
- Create a GCOS account, which may take up to 10 business days.
- Read the applicant guide to complete the application form.
- Complete and upload the budget detail template in GCOS.
- Access and complete the online form within 20 hours.
- Print and submit your application online.
Step 4: Apply by Email or Mail (if chosen)
- Read the applicant guide to complete the application form.
- Complete the application form online or by hand.
- Complete the budget detail template.
- Email the application package to EDSC.CPR-SFS.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca with the subject line 'Training and Tools Stream' or post it to the given address.
Step 5: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive an automatic confirmation of receipt online or by email.
- If mailed, receive confirmation by email within 21 calendar days.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Eligible organizations were allowed to submit only one application per stream under a single CRA business registration number.
Projects must end by March 31, 2024.
For projects focusing on Objective A (training), involvement of employers or employer organizations is mandatory, requiring submitted partnership letters.
For projects focusing on Objective B (assessment tools and training resources), these resources must be available online or in an alternate accessible format at no cost to Canadians.
Funding decisions were expected to be made by late Fall 2022.
If the application was incomplete, applicants had 5 business days to submit missing information upon notification; otherwise, the application could be rejected.
There was a priority consideration for projects targeting social-emotional skills or digital skills, and projects supporting under-represented groups in the labor market, with specific allocations for persons with disabilities and racialized Canadians.
About 50% of the program's funding is allocated to support under-represented groups, including 10% specifically for persons with disabilities and 20% for racialized groups.

grant_single_labels|contact

EDSC.CPR-SFS.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca

Apply to this program

Enhance Foundational Skills through the Skills for Success Grant

The Skills for Success Program in Canada seeks to empower individuals and organizations by providing essential training and resources to improve foundational and transferable skills. This grant aims to address current labour market challenges and promote the Skills for Success Model broadly across various sectors.

Unlocking Opportunities with the Skills for Success Grant: A Detailed Overview

The Skills for Success Program, initiated by Employment and Social Development Canada, stands as a beacon of support for Canadian organizations dedicated to enhancing workforce skills at all levels. The grant is part of a strategic initiative aimed at uplifting the employability of Canadians by financing projects that foster foundational and transferable skills. Projects funded under this initiative are pivotal in equipping individuals to better navigate the demands of contemporary job markets, thereby increasing their job security and adaptability in the workplace.

The Skills for Success grant is particularly notable for its dual-stream approach, focusing on "Training and Tools" and "Research and Innovation." This ensures a comprehensive tackling of skill development needs, from designing impactful training programs to developing innovative resources and assessment tools. The program encourages collaborations between training organizations and employers, ensuring that the training provided is directly relevant to the current and projected skills gaps within specific industries or sectors.

Under the "Training and Tools Stream," emphasis is placed on creating curricula that not only improve the basic skill sets but also enhance the social-emotional and digital skills necessary for today’s digital economy. This initiative calls for partnership-driven projects, encouraging coalitions with educational institutions, employer organizations, and community groups to ensure a holistic approach to training and resource development. Eligible projects must also have a robust dissemination strategy, ensuring the wide sharing of developed resources and findings to maximize the impact across various demographics and regions.

The grant supports a wide spectrum of organizations, including not-for-profit and for-profit bodies (with non-commercial intentions), governmental entities, labour unions, and Indigenous organizations. This broader inclusion ensures that a diverse array of projects can qualify, allowing for varied approaches to skill development that are tailored to unique community needs and industry demands. The grant also places a strong emphasis on serving under-represented groups in the labour market, thereby contributing to greater inclusivity and diversity in workforce development.

Applicants for this grant are encouraged to develop a detailed project timeline, set specific and measurable objectives, and outline a sustainable framework for continuing project benefits beyond the funding period. Importantly, while the application period is closed as of the latest update, organizations are advised to stay informed about future opportunities and consult the relevant support channels for guidance on potential applications. Educational materials and evaluation strategies also play a key role in these projects, aiding in the consistent and effective measurement of outcomes and impacts, thereby enabling positive long-term changes in workforce dynamics.

By leveraging this grant, projects not only receive substantial financial backing—up to $10 million per project—but also gain access to invaluable networks and resources that amplify their reach and efficacy. This funding opportunity remains critical for organizations intent on pioneering innovative training solutions, ultimately enhancing Canada's readiness to meet evolving economic challenges and harness the full potential of its workforce.