How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 85% of admissible expenses, capped at $12000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program?

WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program is funded by WorkBC

What are WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program's eligibility criterias?

Must be a registered business in B.C. Must offer insurable full-time employment in B.C. Must have an active WorkSafeBC account in good standing

WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program

Last Update: June 4, 2025

BC, Canada

Wage subsidy aids training and employment through subsidized wages

WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $3,600 to $12,000
Up to 85% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

WorkBC

Status

Open

Overview of the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program program

The WorkBC Wage Subsidy Program provides funding to cover a portion of employee wages for up to 24 weeks, aimed at reducing hiring and training costs for employers. It facilitates on-the-job training and work experience, matching employers with suitable candidates through WorkBC Centres, and includes disability supports to reduce work-related barriers.

Financing terms and conditions

For standard WorkBC clients: Up to 24 weeks of subsidy, with wage coverage as follows: 50% (up to $500 weekly) for the first third of the work period, 25% (up to $250 weekly) for the second third, and 15% (up to $150 weekly) for the final third.
For priority clients (youth aged 16-30 and individuals with disabilities): Up to 24 weeks of subsidy, with wage coverage as follows: 75% (up to $750 weekly) for the first third of the work period, 50% (up to $500 weekly) for the second third, and 25% (up to $250 weekly) for the final third.
For custom category clients (matched persons with disabilities or complex barriers): Up to 78 weeks, with eligibility for a negotiated subsidy percentage up to a maximum of 85%.
Employers may also receive coverage for the employer portion of Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs) such as Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), WorkSafeBC, and eligible vacation pay.

Eligible projects & activities

Hiring and providing on-the-job training to new employees who require work experience.
Offering paid work experience opportunities to individuals identified through WorkBC.
Supporting workplace integration for youth (16-30) and individuals with disabilities or complex barriers to employment.
Providing coaching, supervision, and skills development as part of new employee onboarding.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 8,200

Provide training and employment for a sales associate in a small retail store

$ 7,260

Provide kitchen training for an apprentice chef in a local restaurant

$ 9,600

Hire and train an administrative assistant specializing in medical records management

$ 11,600

Hire a junior software developer and provide comprehensive training in software development

$ 10,800

Hire and train a warehouse worker for inventory management in an e-commerce business

$ 8,120

Provide work experience for a graphic designer in a non-profit arts organization

Eligibility criteria of the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program program

The business must be registered in British Columbia.
The employer must comply with all applicable legislation, including the Employment Standards Act, Workers Compensation Act, Income Tax Act (Canada), and Employment Insurance Act (Canada).
The employer must have an active WorkSafeBC account in good standing.
The position offered must be primarily based and performed in British Columbia, and must be a full-time role (35-40 hours per week, unless a reduced schedule is required by the job seeker).
The employer must offer insurable employment and pay reasonable, competitive wages reflecting current market rates for the position.

Who is eligible?

Registered businesses in British Columbia

Who is not eligible

Federal and provincial government entities (Government of B.C. and Government of Canada)
Public sector organizations, including municipalities, schools, school boards, public universities and colleges, hospitals, and health authorities
WorkBC service providers administering the Wage Subsidy program
Employers offering positions based entirely on commission or piecework (without a guaranteed base wage)
Employers already receiving another wage subsidy for the same employee during the same period

Eligible expenses

Portion of employee wages during the subsidy period (up to the program's maximum weekly amounts).
Employer portion of Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs), including EI, CPP, WorkSafeBC, and vacation pay.
Disability supports to reduce barriers for an employee to work.

Eligible geographic areas

British Columbia

How to apply to the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program program

Obtain BCeID

Decide whether to use a Basic BCeID or a Business BCeID for the application.
Create a BCeID account if you do not already have one by visiting the Government of BC's BCeID website.
Ensure you have access to your BCeID credentials for future logins.

Review Eligibility and Program Details

Download and review the "Wage Subsidy Handbook 2024.pdf" for complete eligibility criteria and application process details.
Contact your local WorkBC Centre for any clarifications on eligibility or application details.

Contact WorkBC Centre

Reach out to your local WorkBC Centre to be matched with suitable candidates requiring on-the-job training.
Discuss potential training plans and support options available through the program.

Complete Application Form

Log into the Wage Subsidy platform using your BCeID.
Fill out the application form with relevant information about your business and the position to be subsidized.
Ensure all information is accurate and complete before submission.

Submit Application

Submit the completed application form through the Wage Subsidy platform.
Keep a copy of the submission confirmation for your records.

Follow Up

Stay in touch with your WorkBC Centre for updates on your application status.
Be prepared to provide additional information if requested by the program administrators.

Additional information

An employer can have up to five active Wage Subsidy agreements per CRA Business Number at one time and a maximum of 10 subsidized clients per fiscal year (April–March).
Employers must digitally attest to full compliance with the program's requirements during the application process.
Job seekers matched to a position must not begin work until the Wage Subsidy agreement is signed.
The Wage Subsidy platform allows sharing and management of applications and claim forms within organizations that have a Business BCeID.