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|open
grant_card_status|closingSoon
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
The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program supports eligible projects that enhance domestic agriculture and food workforce development and labour market strategies in BC.
- Current labour market data collection, including literature review, and analysis.
- Planning and strategy development to inform priorities, actions, and timelines for workforce development activities.
- Working with industry and labour market partners to develop and action implementation plans.
- Conducting additional research and analysis for strategies and implementation plans as required.
- Developing BC, regional and/or industry-specific strategies to support the implementation of the National Workforce Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing.
- Consultation and industry engagement activities to drive industry leadership in workforce development plans.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) aims to support the development of labour market strategies in BC’s agriculture and food industry. Eligible applicants must be industry associations or legal entities from the agriculture sector located in British Columbia, working on projects with cross-industry benefits.
- Agriculture, agri-food and seafood industry associations or similar type organizations.
- Legal entities from the agriculture, agri-food and seafood sector representing a majority of a sector.
- Applicants must be located in the province of British Columbia.
- Projects must focus on the domestic labour/workforce and have cross-industry or broad-sector benefit.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, the Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) grants are available to certain types of companies located in the province of British Columbia. Eligible entities primarily include industry associations and legal entities from the agriculture, agri-food, and seafood sectors applying on behalf of a group of individual producers or processors in the sector.
- Agriculture, agri-food, and seafood industry associations or similar type organizations.
- Legal entities from the agriculture, agri-food, and seafood sector not represented by an industry association, when applying on behalf of a group of individual producers/processors.
- Applicants must represent a majority of a sector.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is not available to certain types of companies and participants, including those not directly involved in agriculture or agri-food sectors. Here is a list of ineligible participants:
- Individual producers, processors, or other 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
Eligible expenses for this grant include costs associated with developing and implementing domestic labour market development strategies and workforce plans. Funded activities focus on collaboration with industry partners and strategic planning involving data collection and analysis.
- Current labour market data collection, including literature review, and analysis.
- Planning and strategy development to inform workforce development initiatives.
- Working with industry and labour market partners on implementation plans.
- Conducting additional research and analysis necessary to inform strategies.
- Developing industry-specific strategies aligning with national workforce strategic plans.
- Consultation and industry engagement activities for leadership in workforce development solutions.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zone for this grant is the province of British Columbia in Canada.
- The applicant must be located in British Columbia.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program evaluates and selects applications based on organization and project eligibility, alignment with program priorities, and the availability of funds. Applications that successfully pass the Expression of Interest stage will be invited to complete a full application for further evaluation.
- Organization and Project Eligibility
- Alignment with Program Priorities
- First-come-first-serve basis, subject to available funds
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Create an Account & Register Organization
- Create a personal profile with your name and email.
- Provide organization information, such as name, contact details, type of organization, BC ID / CRA numbers, or a recognized file number, and primary contact.
- If you haven't yet registered, this process can take up to two business days and must be completed before the application deadline.
- Step 2: Submit a WAPP Expression of Interest
- Navigate to Funding Opportunities in the IAF Client Portal starting October 22, 2024, and select the Workforce Analysis & Planning Program.
- Provide details including project name, a concise project summary, activities planned, intended outcomes, benefits, start and end dates, total project costs, and potential project partners.
- Step 3: Apply to WAPP for Project Funding
- Following a successful EOI, complete a full application by providing detailed project information through the IAF Client Portal.
- Include project start and end dates, detailed description and objectives, key activities, intended benefits, partnerships and communication plan, and a detailed project budget.
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
Overview of the Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP)
The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) is designed to support the agriculture and food industries in British Columbia by providing up to $100,000 in cost-shared funding for the development and implementation of domestic labour market strategies. This program, part of the Agriculture and Food Workforce Development Initiative, aims to address labour challenges and enhance workforce planning within the sector.
Understanding the Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) Eligibility and Application Process
The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP) is an essential initiative aimed at supporting the labour market needs of British Columbia's agriculture and food sectors. Administered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF), WAPP operates under the larger umbrella of the Agriculture and Food Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI), which is a strategic fund orchestrated by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. Funded through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Agreement, this program focuses on labor market intelligence, strategic planning, and the creation of employment solutions tailored to the domestic workforce. **Program Structure and Funding Streams** WAPP offers a comprehensive framework through two primary funding streams. Each provides a maximum of $100,000 in funding, covering up to 70% of eligible costs, requiring beneficiaries to cover the remaining 30%. The two streams include: 1. **Labour Market Intelligence, Research and Analysis**: This stream focuses on in-depth market research to understand current workforce trends, gaps, and opportunities within the agriculture and food industry. 2. **Strategies and Planning**: This stream aims at the development and execution of detailed workforce strategies and plans that respond to the identified labour market issues. Eligible applicants are limited to a total funding maximum of $100,000 across the lifespan of the WAPP, thus allowing the flexibility to apply to both streams but not to execute overlapping projects simultaneously. **Eligibility Criteria** To qualify for WAPP funding, organizations must be based in British Columbia and fall within the following categories: - **Industry Associations**: Organizations representing the agriculture, agri-food, and seafood sectors, which can apply on behalf of individual producers. - **Legal Entities within the Sector**: Entities not represented by an industry association but representing a majority sector. Ineligible applicants include individual producers, processors, and groups outside the agriculture sector, such as universities or aquaculture associations. **Eligible and Ineligible Activities** Eligible activities encompass a wide range of initiatives that support workforce development, like market data collection, strategic partnership development, and planning aligned with national strategies for workforce improvement. Expenditure eligibility extends to costs directly tied to these initiatives. However, the program does not support activities such as recruitment of temporary foreign workers, routine business operations, or projects focused on union-management issues. **Application Process** The WAPP application process follows a multi-step approach: 1. **Expression of Interest (EOI)**: Interested organizations must first submit an EOI, which determines basic eligibility and alignment with program goals. This initial step does not guarantee funding but streams applications into the appropriate channels for further review. 2. **Full Application**: Upon successful EOI assessment, applicants are invited to submit a comprehensive application detailing their project, objectives, partnerships, and budgetary requirements. This detailed submission allows for a thorough evaluation by IAF. All applications must adhere to specific guidelines, including realistic project timelines and compliance with funding acknowledgment requirements. Retroactive costs are not considered, ensuring that financial commitments follow the formal approval of the projects. **Key Dates and Deadlines** The EOI submission window opens on October 22, 2024, and closes on November 19, 2024. Notifications of Invitations to Apply are dispatched by December 20, 2024. Projects approved for funding must be completed by January 31, 2026, and applicants cannot commence project activities before formal approval and onboarding. **Role of Partnerships** Strategic partnerships are a mandatory component of the WAPP application. Applicants must demonstrate collaboration with industry and labor market partners to effectively implement workforce strategies, thereby ensuring long-term sustainability and alignment with broader industry objectives. **Post-Approval Obligations** Once an application is approved, the applicant must enter a formal agreement detailing the terms, obligations, and reporting requirements. This agreement governs the specific use of funds and mandates acknowledgment of IAF support in public communications. Regular reporting, including financial reports, ensures accountability and transparency in fund utilization. Compliance with these obligations is critical to ensuring ongoing support and successful project outcomes. **Conclusion** The Workforce Analysis and Planning Program represents a pivotal opportunity for agriculture and food organizations in British Columbia to address labor market challenges. Through strategic funding and detailed planning, WAPP empowers industry participants to develop innovative workforce solutions that meet current and future demands. By fostering collaboration and providing targeted support, WAPP not only enhances the capacity of local industries but also reinforces their contribution to the provincial economy. Organizations interested in leveraging this opportunity should prepare for the application process by understanding the program's requirements, timelines, and specific goals to maximize the benefits of participation.
