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Source verified July 10, 2026
START Program
Hiring incentives for Nova Scotia employers
Latest source updateLast Update: July 10, 2026Latest change: START updated who can apply and how applicants must be approved before hiring, and it also revised the individual eligibility examples and priority-sector list.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 10, 2026
Latest change: START updated who can apply and how applicants must be approved before hiring, and it also revised the individual eligibility examples and priority-sector list.
START eligibility and application rules updated
The START program page now says employers must apply and be approved by an ENS representative before hiring, instead of only applying before hiring. The individual eligibility section now includes spouses of military members with an imminent transfer to Nova Scotia and people employed less than full-time hours, and the priority-sector examples were replaced with a new list that includes digital technologies, information and communications technology, defence and aerospace, energy and cleantech, natural resources, agriculture and fisheries, and housing and construction. The LaMPSS page also added a new maintenance release link and refreshed release-note dates, while contact details remain unchanged. No funding amounts, deadlines, or portal endpoints changed.
Funding available
$ 25,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
START is a hiring incentive for Nova Scotia employers and eligible individuals that can provide up to $25,000 per hire to help connect unemployed Nova Scotians with job opportunities. It can support wage incentives, training costs, and equipment or other direct costs for new hires.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Hiring an eligible unemployed Nova Scotian to fill a job vacancy.
- Short-term employment or on-the-job training that helps the employee develop transferable skills.
- Short-term employment related to a priority sector or industry where a short-term contract is being implemented.
Documents Needed
- Job description
- One price quote for training costs
- Two price quotes for equipment and/or miscellaneous costs
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small and medium-sized businesses
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Social enterprises
- Individuals who are unemployed and looking for work
- Unemployed international graduates who meet the program requirements
Who is not eligible
- Students
- Persons who have removed themselves from the labour market
Eligible expenses
- Salary and benefit costs related to hiring a new employee, including mandatory payroll deduction costs.
- Training costs for the new employee.
- Equipment and other direct costs associated with the new employee.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Employment paid strictly on a commission basis or by the kilometer.
- Jobs specially created for the purpose of using START funding.
- Positions that require ongoing funding from Employment Nova Scotia to be sustainable.
- Municipal, provincial or federal positions that would normally be considered part of the public service.
Selection criteria
- Preference is given to employers who can offer full-time, sustainable employment.
- Type of employment offered.
- Wages offered.
- Employee’s skill level.
- How long the employee has been looking for work and whether the position supports a priority sector in Nova Scotia.
How to apply
- Employers apply online in LaMPSS and need to create a LaMPSS Account or sign in.
- Read the START Program Guidelines before applying.
- Individuals must contact a Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centre to discuss their situation.
- If eligible, Nova Scotia Works will help submit the individual application.
Processing and Agreement
- The program information becomes part of an agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia.
- Employment Nova Scotia assesses applications and determines funding eligibility amounts.
- Incomplete applications are not reviewed; the file is closed and the applicant is notified.
- If an employee is terminated, quits, or is unable to continue, the employer must contact Employment Nova Scotia within a maximum of 2 business days, and reimbursement may be required.
- Employers who terminate employees without just cause, or whose working conditions are deemed unsafe, may have the agreement terminated and may be required to repay funds.
Additional information
- Employers must apply for the START Program before hiring a new employee to be eligible for funding.
- The program may also offer assistance for jobs that are short-term if they help the employee develop skills or align with priority sectors.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the START Program Program
What is the START Program?
START is a hiring incentive for Nova Scotia employers and eligible individuals that can provide up to $25,000 per hire to help connect unemployed Nova Scotians with job opportunities. It can support wage incentives, training costs, and equipment or other direct costs for new hires.
How much funding can be received?
START Program Funds up to $25,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the START Program program?
To be eligible for the START Program program, you must:
Small or medium-sized employers may apply
Individuals must be unemployed, resident of Nova Scotia, and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible international graduate
Employers must apply before hiring the employee
What expenses are eligible under START Program?
Hiring an eligible unemployed Nova Scotian to fill a job vacancy.
Short-term employment or on-the-job training that helps the employee develop transferable skills.
Short-term employment related to a priority sector or industry where a short-term contract is being implemented.
Who can I contact for more information about the START Program?
You can contact Government of Nova Scotia or by phone at 1-877-223-0888.
Where is the START Program available?
The START Program program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Who are the financial supporters of the START Program?
START Program is funded by Government of Nova Scotia, Employment Nova Scotia, Sudbury Manitoulin Children's Foundation (SMCF)