Open
START Program
Hiring incentives for Nova Scotia employers
Last Update: June 8, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
Funding for employers to hire unemployed Nova Scotians, with support for wages, training, and equipment. It is administered by Employment Nova Scotia and also offers a marketing letter for eligible individuals.
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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 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
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 unemployed Nova Scotian to fill a job vacancy.
- Creating a work experience position linked to ongoing employment or transferable skills.
- Providing training for a new employee.
- Providing equipment or other direct support for the new hire.
Documents Needed
- Job description
- LaMPSS External Access form
- Electronic Funds Transfer form
- Workplace accident or injury insurance details
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small and medium-sized businesses
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Social enterprises
- Eligible unemployed individuals in Nova Scotia
Who is not eligible
- Employers without a physical location in Nova Scotia
- Employers whose staff do not live and work in Nova Scotia
- Summer jobs
- Commission-based or per-kilometer jobs
Eligible expenses
- Wage incentives for salary and mandatory payroll costs.
- Training costs for the new employee.
- Equipment, software, assistive devices, and other direct costs related to the new hire.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Commission-based or per-kilometer employment.
- Jobs already funded through LMDA, WDA, or the Department of Community Services.
- Positions that displace current staff or employees on leave.
- Summer employment.
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
Selection criteria
- Type of employment offered.
- Wages offered.
- Employee skill level.
- Length of the employee’s job search.
- Support for priority sectors in Nova Scotia.
How to apply
- Step 1
- Read the program guidelines and prepare the required information.
- Step 2
- Log in to LaMPSS or create a LaMPSS account.
- For individuals, contact a Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centre for help with the application.
- Step 3
- Select the START application in LaMPSS and complete the form.
- Attach the required documents.
- Step 4
- Submit the application through LaMPSS and wait for confirmation.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by Employment Nova Scotia.
- Incomplete applications are not reviewed and are closed.
- Approved employers may receive written approval before the agreement is signed.
- Funding is issued under an agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia.
- Employers must submit activity and financial reports during the agreement and follow-up may occur after hiring.
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?
Funding for employers to hire unemployed Nova Scotians, with support for wages, training, and equipment. It is administered by Employment Nova Scotia and also offers a marketing letter for eligible individuals.
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
Physical presence in Nova Scotia
Application before hiring
What expenses are eligible under START Program?
Hiring an unemployed Nova Scotian to fill a job vacancy.
Creating a work experience position linked to ongoing employment or transferable skills.
Providing training for a new employee.
Providing equipment or other direct support for the new hire.
Who can I contact for more information about the START Program?
You can contact Government of Nova Scotia or by phone at 877-223-0888.
Where is the START Program available?
The START Program program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the START Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
START Program is a Wage Subsidies And Interns