Skills for Success Program — Training and Tools Stream

• Completed application form
• Budget detail template
• Partnership letters, if applying under Objective A

Who is eligible?

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

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.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Beginning project activities or incurring expenses before project approval.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is open to projects operating on a national or regional scope within Canada, and specifically targets certain remote areas as defined by their population and access to services. Eligible locations are specified to ensure the fund addresses various labour market needs effectively.

• National in scope: projects can operate in more than one province or territory, including online activities.
• Regional in scope: projects within a single province or territory targeting racialized groups or Official Language Minority Communities.
• Remote areas: defined as areas with a population of less than 1,000 and limited access to nearby municipalities with a population of 1,000 or more.

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.

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.

• Applications are reviewed in three steps: eligibility screening, project assessment, and additional funding considerations.
• Incomplete applications are identified by email, and applicants have 5 business days to submit missing information.
• Applicants are notified in writing of the outcome after review.
• A funding agreement must be signed by both the applicant and the Department before work starts.

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.