Closed
Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program
Supports women’s skills and employment readiness
Last Update: April 27, 2026
Funding available
$ 2,500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : June 2, 2021
- Closing date : June 30, 2021
Location
Canada
Overview
Supports projects that test pre-employment and skills development for women facing barriers to employment. Offers up to $2.5 million per project per year for initiatives that may also work with employers to improve workplace inclusivity.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : June 2, 2021
- Closing date : June 30, 2021
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Test pre-employment and skills development supports for target groups of women.
- Provide foundational and transferable skills training, including literacy and essential skills.
- Offer wrap-around supports such as childcare, transportation, counselling, and living allowances.
- Work with employers to remove workplace barriers and improve inclusivity.
- Test and expand proven training models, including trauma-informed approaches.
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Budget detail template
- Mandatory organizational information
- Attestation form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations with non-commercial activities
- Municipal governments
- Indigenous organizations
- Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies, and Crown corporations
Eligible expenses
- Administrative costs, up to 15% of ESDC funding, or up to 20% with justification for data collection
- Materials, supplies, wages, and mandatory employment costs
- Professional fees, training, communications, research, evaluation, and data collection
- Participant supports such as training, childcare, transportation, counselling, living allowances, technology, and work clothing
- Capital costs such as equipment purchases
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred to prepare the proposal
- Entertainment costs
- Costs outside the contribution agreement dates
- Fines or penalties
- Lobbyist fees and international travel
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada-wide projects serving participants in at least two provinces or territories
- Official Language Minority Communities
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are screened for eligibility first.
- Eligible projects are assessed against program objectives and additional funding considerations.
- Incomplete applications may receive an email notice and 5 business days to provide missing information.
- Applicants are notified whether funding is approved.
- Activities can begin only after approval and a signed funding agreement.
Additional information
- Projects must be national in scope or serve Official Language Minority Communities.
- If applicable, Quebec organizations may need authorization under M-30 before signing an agreement.
- Applicants must submit a complete application package by the deadline.
- Successful applicants will be required to report on project results.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program?
Supports projects that test pre-employment and skills development for women facing barriers to employment. Offers up to $2.5 million per project per year for initiatives that may also work with employers to improve workplace inclusivity.
How much funding can be received?
Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program Funds up to $2,500,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was June 30, 2021.
Who is eligible for the Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program program?
To be eligible for the Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program program, you must:
Eligible organization type required
Relevant recent experience required
Project must target women facing barriers
What expenses are eligible under Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program?
Test pre-employment and skills development supports for target groups of women.
Provide foundational and transferable skills training, including literacy and essential skills.
Offer wrap-around supports such as childcare, transportation, counselling, and living allowances.
Work with employers to remove workplace barriers and improve inclusivity.
Test and expand proven training models, including trauma-informed approaches.
Who can I contact for more information about the Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at edsc.pfe-wer.esdc@servicecanada.gc.ca.
Where is the Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program available?
The Women’s Employment Readiness pilot program program is available across Canada.