Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP)
BC, Canada
Strengthen domestic agriculture by funding workforce development strategies in BC
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateOctober 22, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateNovember 20, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) is a three-year initiative providing up to $100,000 in cost-shared funding, focusing on enhancing domestic workforce development strategies in British Columbia's agriculture, seafood, and food processing sectors. It supports activities such as labour market data collection, strategy development, and partnership initiatives to address workforce challenges efficiently. Eligible participants include industry associations and legal entities representing the agriculture, agri-food, and seafood sectors, looking to develop strategies with broad-sector benefits.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to companies located within the province of British Columbia. Eligibility is determined based on the location and sector representation to support regional workforce development goals in the agriculture and food sectors.
- Companies located in the province of British Columbia.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this program requires applicants to be part of BC's agriculture and food industries and meet specific organization and representation criteria.
- Applicants must be located in the province of British Columbia.
- The applicant must be an agriculture, agri-food, or seafood industry association or a similar type of organization.
- Industry associations can apply on behalf of groups of individual producers.
- Legal entities from the agriculture, agri-food, and seafood sector not represented by an industry association can apply, provided they represent a majority of the sector.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This grant targets industry and labour market partners within BC's agriculture and food industry, aiming to develop market intelligence and workforce strategies to address labour challenges. Eligible participants must belong to specific sectors within the industry.
- Agriculture, agri-food, and seafood industry associations or similar organizations located in British Columbia.
- Legal entities from the agriculture, agri-food, and seafood sector acting on behalf of a group of producers or processors, representing a majority of a sector.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain participants and industries from applying to ensure alignment with its objectives of enhancing workforce development in the agriculture sector. The restrictions are designed to focus resources on entities that can broadly benefit the domestic agriculture and food sectors.
- Individual producers, processors or businesses represented by an industry association.
- Researchers and/or universities.
- Non-agricultural or agri-food individuals or groups.
- Equine producers or associations.
- Aquaculture and fish farms.
- Beekeepers or beekeeping associations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) offers funding for projects that build market intelligence and develop strategies to tackle labour challenges in BC's agriculture and food sectors. Activities focus on the analysis, planning, and implementation of workforce development strategies.
- Collection and analysis of current labour market data, including literature review, to understand labour issues in agriculture and food sectors.
- Planning and developing strategies to set priorities, actions, and timelines for workforce development activities.
- Collaboration with industry and labour market partners to develop and implement plans based on existing analysis and data.
- Conducting further research and analysis to inform the development of workforce strategies and plans.
- Creating BC, regional, or industry-specific strategies to support the National Workforce Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Food.
- Engaging in consultation and activities to promote industry leadership in implementing workforce development plans.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses for the Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) are centered around activities that support the development and implementation of domestic labour market strategies and workforce plans.
- Labour market data collection, literature review, and analysis.
- Planning and strategy development.
- Collaboration efforts with industry and labour partners for implementation plans.
- Consultation and industry engagement activities.
- Development of regional or industry-specific strategies.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.
- Relevance to addressing domestic agriculture labour market challenges.
- Comprehensiveness of the labour market strategy or workforce plan.
- Capacity to build and sustain strategic industry partnerships.
- Potential to achieve clearly defined outcomes and metrics.
- Alignment with federal priorities and ability to leverage federal funding.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Create an Account & Register Organization
- If you (and your organization) have applied for IAF-delivered funding since January 2023 you already have an account. Ensure your contact details and organizational information are up to date.
- If new, create a personal profile with name and email.
- Provide organization information including name, contact details, type of organization, BC ID / CRA numbers, etc.
- The validation process may take up to two business days.
- Step 2: Submit a WAPP Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Starting October 22, 2024, navigate to Funding Opportunities in the IAF Client Portal.
- Select the Workforce Analysis & Planning Program.
- Provide the project name and concise project summary, addressing the labour need or issue to be tackled.
- Include intended project outcomes, benefits, start and end dates, total project costs, and identified potential partners.
- Step 3: Apply to WAPP for Project Funding
- Successful EOI applicants will receive an 'Invitation to Apply.'
- Submit a full application with detailed project information through the IAF Client Portal.
- Include project start and end dates, a detailed description of the project and objectives, and a partnerships and communications plan.
- Detail key activities, intended benefits, impact, and provide a funding request with a detailed project budget.
- Step 4: Review and Adjudication
- IAF will review EOIs and full applications based on eligibility and program alignment.
- Applicants will be notified of their EOI status by December 20, 2024.
- Final funding decisions are communicated within 30 days of application submission.
- Step 5: Funding Notifications & Contracts
- If approved, IAF will inform the applicant via email with terms and conditions.
- Applicants enter an agreement with IAF outlining obligations.
- Projects can start after the notice of approved funding, with a completion deadline of January 31, 2026.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
This grant is specifically aimed at supporting the agricultural sector in British Columbia by funding projects related to workforce analysis and planning. Eligible applicants include agriculture industry associations and legal entities representing a majority of a sector, among others.
- The program provides up to $100,000 in cost-shared funding for eligible projects.
- The total funding limit per applicant is $100,000 for the lifetime of the program.
- Eligible activities include labour market data collection, planning, strategy development, and industry engagement activities.
- Applications are submitted through the IAF Client Portal with a two-step process: an Expression of Interest (EOI) followed by a full application.
- Stacking of funds from other government programs is allowed up to 100% of project costs, provided the programs are not delivered by IAF.
- Projects must be completed by January 31, 2026, and no retroactive approval of costs incurred prior to project approval will be considered.
- EOIs can be submitted starting October 22, 2024, and must be finalized by November 19, 2024, at 4:00 pm PST.
- Project activities cannot commence until the contribution agreement has been signed by both the applicant and IAF.
- This program is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
grant_single_labels|contact
wapp@iafbc.ca
Apply to this program
Supporting BC's Agriculture Workforce Development
The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) offers up to $100,000 in funding for initiatives aimed at developing robust domestic workforce strategies within British Columbia's agriculture and food sectors. This program addresses critical labour market challenges by fostering strategic partnerships and planning to sustain the industry’s growth.
Comprehensive Overview of WAPP and Its Strategic Importance
The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP), under the auspices of the Agriculture and Food Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI), represents a pivotal funding opportunity for those committed to advancing the agriculture and food sectors in British Columbia. With a generous allocation of up to $100,000 per project, this initiative is uniquely structured to empower industry associations and legal entities within the agriculture, agri-food, and seafood industries to devise and implement targeted labour market strategies.
At the heart of WAPP is the mission to address labour shortages that challenge the growth and sustainability of BC's agricultural and food industries. The program provides an essential platform for stakeholders to explore innovative workforce solutions that align with both the provincial and national strategic labour market priorities. By supporting cross-industry projects that bring together diverse partners, WAPP fosters a collaborative environment where strategic insights and practical solutions can flourish.
Eligible activities include comprehensive labour market research, strategic planning, and the development of actionable implementation plans. These projects must be undertaken with the engagement of strategic partnerships, highlighting the collaborative essence of the program. The goal is to gather and analyze valuable labour market data to inform and prioritize workforce development efforts, ensuring that the agriculture and food sectors remain competitive and capable of meeting future demands.
Moreover, WAPP is not merely a financial supporter but a crucial catalyst for sector-wide transformation. By encouraging the development of regional and industry-specific strategies that integrate seamlessly with the National Workforce Strategic Plan, WAPP ensures that BC's agriculture sector can leverage broader federal opportunities. The program explicitly excludes activities that target the retention of temporary foreign workers, emphasizing its focus on strengthening the domestic workforce capacity.
Structured into two main funding streams—Labour Market Intelligence, Research and Analysis, and Strategies and Planning—WAPP offers flexibility in addressing different aspects of workforce development. Each stream parallels in terms of financial support, providing up to 70% of eligible costs, highlighting the program’s substantial investment in sustainable development.
Participants of WAPP must demonstrate their commitment to the agricultural sector through strategic and evidence-based project proposals that are backed by well-formed partnerships. It's imperative that proposed activities promise substantial cross-sector benefits and align with publicly communicated goals to further elevate BC's agricultural industry on both provincial and national stages.
Thus, WAPP serves as a multifaceted tool enabling industry players not only to mitigate current labour challenges but also to establish a foundation for enduring workforce resilience. By aligning with the strategic goals tailored for BC's specific economic environment, participants in the WAPP can expect to unearth new opportunities, drive industry growth, and significantly impact the local economy by securing a stable domestic labour force. The program's commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable practices within the workforce domain underscores its invaluable role in the vibrant landscape of BC's agriculture sector.
