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.

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There are multiple projects and activities eligible for this grant.

Designing and implementing training to support individuals to improve their foundational and transferable skills
Developing assessment tools and training resources

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$250,000

Toronto

Launching a digital literacy program for unemployed adults in Toronto.

$120,000

Vancouver

Developing a workplace skills assessment tool for small businesses in Vancouver.

$350,000

Montreal

Creating sustainability partnerships for a community training center in Montreal.

$450,000

Calgary

Implementing a language skills training program for new immigrants in Calgary.

$550,000

Winnipeg

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

$650,000

Halifax

Providing vocational training to indigenous communities in Halifax.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for this grant, your organization must meet specific criteria related to both the applicants and the projects. Below are the detailed eligibility criteria:

Eligible applicants:
Not-for-profit organization
For-profit organization (non-commercial intent, not aimed at generating profit, and supports program priorities and objectives)
Labour union
Municipal government
Indigenous organization (band council, tribal council, self-government entity)
Provincial and territorial government, institution, agency, and Crown Corporation
Organizations in Quebec must comply with the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (M-30)
Eligible projects:
Duration must not exceed March 31, 2024
Scope must be national, regional (targeting racialized groups or Official Language Minority Communities), or remote
Request no more than $10 million per project
Focus on designing and implementing training, and/or developing assessment tools and training resources
Enable broad adoption and uptake of the Skills for Success Model with a dissemination and sustainability strategy
Ensure access to training opportunities is unaffected by gender identity, expression, or sexual orientation, with a strategy for gender equality in training delivery

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Yes, there are eligible types of organizations for this grant. The following list outlines the types of organizations that were considered eligible:

Not-for-profit organization
For-profit organization (provided that 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

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include costs that are reasonable, detailed, and support the project activities.

Design and implementation of training programs
Development of assessment tools and training resources
Data collection and tracking systems
Project dissemination and sustainability efforts
Costs related to partnerships and collaborations

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

Eligible geographic zones for this grant include national, regional (targeting specific groups within a province or territory), and remote areas. Remote areas are defined by a population of less than 1,000 and little or no access to services of the nearest municipality with a population of 1,000 or more.

National in scope
Regional in scope:
Within a province or territory targeting racialized groups or Official Language Minority Communities
Remote in scope:
Population less than 1,000 (core population)
No, or very little, access to services of the closest municipality with a population of 1,000 or more

grant_single_labels|criteria

Yes, the grant application will be evaluated and selected based on specific criteria, including organization capacity, project objectives, activities, expected results, and costs. There are also additional funding considerations that may be taken into account.

Organization's capacity: Describe in detail how your organization has the relevant experience to deliver this project.
Project objectives: Describe how your project objectives align with the objectives under the Training and Tools Stream and how you will meet additional requirements depending on your focus.
Project activities: Describe how your project activities will align with the program objectives, providing clear and feasible timelines.
Project results: Describe the expected results of your project, making them specific, concrete, and measurable, and how you plan to gather, measure, and report these results.
Project costs: Provide a clear justification for the intended use of the funds, demonstrating that costs are reasonable and support project activities.
Additional funding considerations: Priority will be given to projects targeting social-emotional or digital skills and responding to the needs of under-represented groups in the labor market.

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Step 1: Gather your supporting documents and information
Completed application form
Budget detail template
Partnership letters if project is focusing on Objective A
Step 2: Decide how to apply
Online
Create your GCOS account. It may take up to 10 business days to create your account
Read the applicant guide to complete your application form
Complete the budget detail template and upload it in GCOS
Apply online using GCOS
Information you will need to know if you apply online:
Once you begin completing the online form, it will only be available for 20 hours
The questions in the online form are in the same order as the PDF application form
You cannot save or access your application at a later time
Private and public organizations must have a CRA business number to apply online
You can print a copy of your application before submitting it. This is the only opportunity to print your application
After you print a copy of your online application, click "submit" to complete your application. If you do not click "submit", your application will not be sent
Email or mail
Read the applicant guide to complete your application form
Complete the Application form online or by hand
Complete the budget detail template
Send your complete application package by email or by mail to:
Email: EDSC.CPR-SFS.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca (Indicate in the subject line 'Training and Tools Stream')
Mail
Skills for Success Program
Coordination Unit Mailstop 402 National Grants & Contributions Delivery Centre (ESDC)
140 Promenade du Portage Phase IV 4th Floor
Gatineau QC K1A 0J9

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Additional considerations and important definitions were highlighted for applicants to this grant.

Demographic information examples include age, gender, race, ethnicity, marital status, income, education, and employment.
Foundational and transferable skills refer to skills that are the building blocks needed to develop other skills.
Eligibility for the grant is strictly defined and includes the participation of specific groups such as racialized groups and persons with disabilities.
A dissemination strategy is required to spread knowledge and share results of promising practices on a wide scale.
Data collection and tracking strategies must be utilized to track project results.
Sustainability strategies must be outlined to continue project activities and partnerships beyond the duration of the project.
Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) takes into account multiple characteristics that intersect and influence the way individuals experience government policies and initiatives.
Projects should ensure inclusivity, particularly within the workplace, fostering conditions where all individuals are valued and respected.

grant_single_labels|contact

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

Apply to this program

Skills for Success Program – Training and Tools Stream Grant

The Skills for Success Program – Training and Tools Stream Grant by Employment and Social Development Canada aims to fund initiatives designed to enhance the foundational and transferable skills of Canadians of all skill levels. This grant supports projects that develop and implement training programs, as well as create assessment tools and training resources, with a focus on collaboration with employers and accessibility.

Comprehensive Guide to the Skills for Success Program – Training and Tools Stream Grant

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has introduced the Skills for Success Program – Training and Tools Stream Grant to address the evolving needs of the Canadian labor market. This grant intends to support organizations in developing and implementing training programs and creating assessment tools and training resources that improve the skills of Canadians, ensuring they are better prepared to meet the demands of the modern workplace.

Objective of the Skills for Success Program

The primary aim of this grant is to fund projects that meet one or both of the following objectives:

Design and implement training programs to support individuals in enhancing their foundational and transferable skills, making them better prepared to meet on-the-job demands.
Develop assessment tools and training resources that are accessible to Canadians online or in alternate formats, and at no cost.

The overarching goal is to respond to current skills and labor market issues and to enable the broad adoption and uptake of the Skills for Success Model across various sectors, regions, and industries.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the grant, organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria and project requirements.

Eligible Applicants

Not-for-profit organizations
For-profit organizations (provided the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives)
Labour unions
Municipal governments
Indigenous organizations, including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities
Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies, and Crown corporations

Note: Organizations located in Quebec must ensure compliance with the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (M-30) prior to submitting their application.

Eligible Projects

Projects must not exceed a duration past March 31, 2024.
Projects should focus on designing and implementing training programs or developing assessment tools and training resources.
Projects should request no more than $10 million in funding per project.
Projects must have a strategy to disseminate and ensure the sustainability of results, allowing for broader adoption of the Skills for Success Model.
Projects must include a strategy to achieve gender equality in the delivery of training opportunities.

Projects can be national, regional, or remote in scope, targeting specific groups such as racialized groups or Official Language Minority Communities, or areas with limited access to services.

How Applications Are Assessed

Applications are reviewed in three steps:

Screening for Eligibility: This step ensures that the application meets the mandatory eligibility requirements, which include being submitted by the deadline, by an eligible organization, and completeness of the application package.
Project Assessment: Detailed assessment of the project’s objectives, activities, expected results, and costs to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives and feasibility.
Additional Funding Considerations: Projects are assessed comparatively, with priority given to those targeting social-emotional skills, digital skills, and under-represented groups in the labor market.

Incomplete applications will be notified, and applicants will have five business days to submit the missing information. If the information is not provided within this timeframe, the application will be rejected.

Key Components of a Successful Application

To craft a compelling application, organizations must consider the following components:

Organization's Capacity

Demonstrate your organization’s experience and capacity to deliver the proposed project. Highlight past projects, accomplishments, and the skills of your team that align with the project’s requirements.

Project Objectives

Clearly outline how your project meets one or both program objectives. If focusing on Objective A, detail the collaboration with employers and partnership-driven approach. For Objective B, explain the development and accessibility of assessment tools and training resources.

Project Activities

Describe in detail the activities your project will undertake, align these activities with the program objectives, and provide a clear and feasible timeline for their completion.

Project Results

Specify the expected results of your project, ensuring they are specific, concrete, and measurable. Outline your strategy for gathering, measuring, and reporting on these results.

Project Costs

Provide a detailed budget justification, ensuring that the costs are reasonable and directly support the project activities.

Additional Funding Considerations

Projects that target social-emotional skills (e.g., collaboration, communication, problem-solving, adaptability, creativity, and innovation) or digital skills, and respond to the needs of under-represented groups in the labor market, are given priority. The program aims to allocate approximately 50% of its funding to support under-represented groups, with specific allocations for persons with disabilities (10%) and racialized Canadians (20%).

Steps to Apply

To apply for the grant, follow these steps:

Gather Supporting Documents and Information

Complete the application form.
Prepare the budget detail template.
Collect partnership letters if the project is focusing on Objective A.

Decide How to Apply

Online: Create a GCOS account, complete the application form using the applicant guide, fill out and upload the budget detail template, and submit the application online. Ensure to print a copy of the application before submitting.
Email or Mail: Complete the application form and budget detail template, and send them to the specified email address or mailing address. Include a note if additional documents are being sent by mail.

After Submission

Once submitted, your application will be reviewed. Decisions on funding are expected to be made by late Fall 2022. You will receive an acknowledgment of receipt via email or through an automatic confirmation if submitted online. Ensure you receive a confirmation number as proof of submission.

Contact Information

If you have questions or require further assistance, contact ESDC via email at:

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

Conclusion

The Skills for Success Program – Training and Tools Stream Grant is a valuable opportunity for organizations to enhance the skills of Canadians, preparing them for the evolving demands of the labor market. By meeting the eligibility criteria and focusing on the key components of a successful application, organizations can effectively leverage this grant to make a meaningful impact.

Skills for Success Program — Training and Tools Stream

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