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WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program
Last Update: March 4, 2026
British Columbia, Canada
Wage subsidy aids training and employment through subsidized wages
Wage Subsidies And Interns
Overview
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.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Improve employee retention
- Develop employee skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 12,000 $
- Minimum amount : 3,600 $
- Up to 85% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Persons with Disabilities
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- People with disabilities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Low-income individuals / families
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Activities funded
- 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
$ 10,800
Hire and train a warehouse worker for inventory management in an e-commerce business
$ 11,600
Hire a junior software developer and provide comprehensive training in software development
$ 8,120
Provide work experience for a graphic designer in a non-profit arts organization
Eligibility
- 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
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
Submit Application
- Submit the completed application form through the Wage Subsidy platform.
- Keep a copy of the submission confirmation for your records.
6
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.
