Open
Source verified September 17, 2026
WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program
Wage support for hiring and training WorkBC clients
Latest source updateLast Update: September 17, 2026Latest change: The WorkBC Wage Subsidy employer guide now shows new subsidy rates effective August 31, 2026, plus updated employer rules and conditions.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 17, 2026
Latest change: The WorkBC Wage Subsidy employer guide now shows new subsidy rates effective August 31, 2026, plus updated employer rules and conditions.
WorkBC Wage Subsidy Guide Updated
The September 2026 WorkBC Wage Subsidy employer guide now shows new rates effective August 31, 2026: the subsidy covers 50% of wages up to $12.50 per hour for up to 800 hours. It also states employers are responsible for wages above that hourly cap, overtime, and all mandatory employment-related costs. The guide also clarifies employer rules, including no displacement, layoff, or termination to access funding, and no commission-only or piecework employment. It frames the prior tiered weekly-rate model as discontinued historical rates for agreements approved before August 31, 2026.
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
The WorkBC Wage Subsidy Program supports employers hiring unemployed WorkBC clients who need skills and work experience. It provides wage coverage for up to 24 weeks, or up to 78 weeks for custom category clients, and can also support on-the-job training, coaching, supervision, and disability supports.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Persons with Disabilities
- Youth (<40)
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Matching WorkBC clients who require on-the-job training and work experience with employers.
- Providing support, supervision and training to new employees through a temporary wage subsidy placement.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered businesses in British Columbia
Who is not eligible
- Government of B.C. and Government of Canada, including public sector organizations such as municipalities, schools, school boards, public universities and colleges, hospitals, health authorities and other government entities; for this policy, other government entities does not include businesses and corporations owned and/or controlled by Indigenous-governing bodies.
- Employers that lay off or terminate an employee for the purposes of accessing a Wage Subsidy, or that fill a position vacant because of layoff unless that employee declines the position.
- Employers offering employment based on 100% commission or piecework.
- Active WorkBC clients participating in Self-Employment Services, the WorkBC service provider that provides the Wage Subsidy, or employers offering a position working under a WorkBC contract.
- Employers in receipt of other Wage Subsidy funding for the same WorkBC client 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.
How to apply
- Use the easy online application form accessed within the WorkBC Wage Subsidy platform.
- Contact a WorkBC Centre.
Processing and Agreement
- WorkBC will confirm eligibility upon submission of a completed application and may contact you if further information is required.
- Your WorkBC Centre will contact you to match you with a qualified, job-ready candidate, and WorkBC will inform you about the next steps in the application process once you have applied.
- The new candidate matched by WorkBC must not begin work until the Wage Subsidy agreement is signed.
- Once you have an active Wage Subsidy agreement in place, you can submit a claim form in the Wage Subsidy platform by selecting your Completed application.
- After submission, your WorkBC Centre will contact you for any follow-up required.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program Program
What is the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program?
The WorkBC Wage Subsidy Program supports employers hiring unemployed WorkBC clients who need skills and work experience. It provides wage coverage for up to 24 weeks, or up to 78 weeks for custom category clients, and can also support on-the-job training, coaching, supervision, and disability supports.
How much funding can be received?
WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program program?
To be eligible for the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program program, you must:
Must be a registered business in B.C.
Must offer full-time employment primarily based and performed in B.C.
Must have an active WorkSafeBC account in good standing
What expenses are eligible under WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program?
Matching WorkBC clients who require on-the-job training and work experience with employers.
Providing support, supervision and training to new employees through a temporary wage subsidy placement.
Where is the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program available?
The WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
WorkBC — Wage Subsidy Program is a Wage Subsidies And Interns