Workplace Education Initiative
NS, Canada
Support for Nova Scotia skills development
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Nova Scotia
- Labour and Advanced Education (NS)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Resources and funding for employers to create workplace education programs and help employees develop specific skills.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to businesses and organizations operating in Nova Scotia. The Workplace Education Initiative is funded through the Canada-Nova Scotia Workforce Development Agreement, focusing on regional skill development and workplace training.
- Businesses and organizations located in Nova Scotia.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$45,000
Halifax
Developing a cloud computing training program for employees
$40,500
Ottawa
Developing a customer service excellence training program
$27,000
Toronto
Training frontline employees with communication skills Level I
$31,500
Calgary
Implementing a social media for business training Level I
$54,000
Montreal
Developing a comprehensive financial fundamentals training for employees
$36,000
Vancouver
Creating an e-commerce training program to enhance sales skills
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant requires the following criteria related to the applicant's organization and its training needs.
- The applicant must be a Nova Scotia-based business, business/sector/industry association, private-sector union, or social enterprise.
- The organization must express interest in enhancing workplace skills and be willing to host customized WEI training.
- An Organizational Needs Assessment (ONA) must be conducted to identify essential business skill needs before applying for WEI training.
- The applicant must provide in-kind support such as paid staff leave, space for training, and administrative support.
- For cluster programs, the applicant should coordinate with community-based organizations to identify and address common essential skills challenges.
- Participants in the training program must be working Nova Scotians or entrepreneurs.
- The organization should be prepared to establish a WEI Project Team to manage and monitor the training process.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Workplace Education Initiative (WEI) is available for businesses in Nova Scotia seeking to enhance the skills of their workforce through customized training programs. Eligible entities include various types of organizations and associations seeking to improve essential business skills within their workforce.
- Nova Scotia businesses, both for-profit and not-for-profit.
- Business, sector, or industry associations.
- Private-sector unions.
- Social enterprises.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Workplace Education Initiative (WEI) supports projects that focus on enhancing essential business skills for working Nova Scotians. These activities aim to improve workforce capabilities, foster business growth, and adapt to changing economic and technological conditions.
- Conducting Organizational Needs Assessments (ONAs) to identify training needs.
- Developing and delivering customized business skills training programs.
- Establishing WEI training plans and securing funding for training initiatives.
- Hosting cluster programs for groups of businesses with common skills challenges.
- Providing support for training sessions, including hiring instructors and organizing training spaces.
- Monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of the WEI training programs.
- Facilitating the creation of WEI Project Teams for program delivery and oversight.
- Coordinating individual needs assessments to tailor training content for participants.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the provision and implementation of workplace education and training programs.
- Cost of instructors hired as independent contractors to deliver the training programs.
- Organizational Needs Assessments (ONA) to identify specific training needs.
- Resources and materials required for the delivery of training sessions.
- Space arrangements for hosting training sessions, if necessary.
- Promotion and administration costs associated with delivering the training.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Workplace Education Initiative (WEI) are guided by the alignment of the project with the goals of skill enhancement and support for business growth.
- Identification and assessment of organizational training needs through the Organizational Needs Assessment (ONA).
- Development of a comprehensive and feasible WEI training plan based on ONA findings.
- Engagement and representation of stakeholders within the WEI Project Team, including management, staff, and community representatives.
- Alignment of the proposed training with the essential business skills required within the organization or cluster.
- Clearly outlined evaluation and monitoring processes for measuring learning and business outcomes.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Workplace Education Initiative (WEI) grant:
- Step 1: Initial Contact
- Contact your Regional Workplace Education and Training Coordinator to discuss your interest in applying for the Workplace Education Initiative.
- Discuss your organization’s needs and how the WEI can address them.
- Step 2: Organizational Needs Assessment (ONA)
- Work with the WEI Coordinator to conduct an Organizational Needs Assessment (ONA).
- Participate in interviews, focus groups, and workplace tours as part of the ONA process.
- Review and validate the ONA summary report.
- Step 3: Develop Training Plan
- Based on the ONA report, develop a training plan in collaboration with the WEI Coordinator.
- Determine the training needs and objectives, and select appropriate WEI programs.
- Step 4: Apply for Funding
- Apply for funding through the Labour Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS) with the assistance of the WEI Coordinator.
- Submit the necessary documentation and information as part of the funding application.
- Step 5: Organize Training Program
- Once funding is approved, establish a Project Team consisting of employees, management, and other stakeholders.
- Recruit participants, hire an instructor, and secure space for the training.
- Step 6: Conduct Training
- Implement the training program with oversight and support from the WEI Coordinator.
- Ensure adherence to the training plan and monitor progress.
- Step 7: Evaluation and Reporting
- Gather participant feedback and evaluate the training effectiveness.
- Report outcomes to the Department of Labour, Skills & Immigration as per the agreement requirements.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The Workplace Education Initiative (WEI) provides up to 40 hours of training delivered over approximately 10 weeks.
- Classes are small, with usually 8 to 12 participants, to ensure individual attention and support.
- Project Teams for each training program should include stakeholders representative of management, employees, and other relevant parties to ensure program needs are met.
- WEI requires an Organizational Needs Assessment (ONA) to be conducted before training, which aids in documenting the training needs and a five-year training plan.
- Individual Needs Assessments (INAs) are conducted for all participants to tailor training to their specific goals and challenges.
- WEI Coordinators play a key role in managing and supporting training programs, including assisting with applications, monitoring programs, and ensuring program effectiveness.
Apply to this program
Empowering Nova Scotia Businesses Through Workplace Education
The Workplace Education Initiative (WEI) provides targeted business skills training aimed at enhancing the workplace competencies of working Nova Scotians, helping businesses across diverse sectors address essential skills training needs. Funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada–Nova Scotia Workforce Development Agreement, this initiative supports organizational growth and adaptability in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
Detailed Insights into the Workplace Education Initiative
The Workplace Education Initiative (WEI), strategically funded by the Government of Canada, is an essential program tailored to fortify the skills of Nova Scotia’s workforce, thereby boosting business efficacy and adaptability. With the ever-evolving dynamics of a global economy, businesses today face unprecedented challenges that necessitate the sharpening of critical workplace skills, and WEI fills this gap effectively. The initiative is implemented by the Department of Labour, Skills & Immigration in collaboration with industry, business, and community partners, ensuring a harmonized approach to workforce skill development.
WEI is designed to cater to the unique needs of businesses regardless of their size, industry, or sector, offering two primary program types to maximize impact—Stand-alone programs for individual businesses and Cluster programs for groups of businesses facing common skill gaps. Through meticulous Organizational Needs Assessments (ONA), WEI identifies precise skill deficits within organizations and crafts a comprehensive training roadmap intended to enhance operational efficiencies, improve communication, and foster a robust learning culture.
Stand-alone programs are tailored for specific businesses to address their unique challenges, primarily through customized training solutions based on a detailed assessment of their workforce planning and growth strategies. These programs are crafted with the support of Regional WEI Coordinators who guide businesses through the funding application process, training design, and implementation, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
Cluster programs, on the other hand, address broader skill shortages impacting multiple businesses within a sector or region. Hosted by community organizations like Industry Sector Councils and Chambers of Commerce, these programs promote collaborative learning environments, addressing common challenges efficiently. Coordinators work closely with host organizations to ensure that the training content is relevant and meets the specific needs of businesses within the cluster.
Training under WEI involves a strategic blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, delivered over a 40-hour period, ideally accommodating up to 12 participants per session. This setup fosters personalized learning experiences, ensuring that each participant gains the fullest potential from the curriculum. Programs offered cover an array of essential business skills including, but not limited to, Business Skills, Change Management, Cloud Computing, Communication and Leadership Skills, Accounting, Social Media Marketing, and Project Management—catering to the diverse needs of modern businesses.
Moreover, WEI programs emphasize the importance of technological adaptability with courses on Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, E-commerce, and Technology Strategies for Remote Work, equipping businesses to thrive in digitalized environments. For businesses keen on financial growth, tailored sessions in Finance Fundamentals and Professional Sales provide invaluable insights and practical skills to navigate complex market scenarios.
The effectiveness of WEI is enhanced by its flexible training delivery modes, offering both in-person and online options to accommodate varying needs and preferences. This flexibility is key in ensuring accessibility and engagement, promoting a culture of continuous learning among Nova Scotians. Each WEI session concludes with evaluations to gauge the training’s effectiveness in meeting both organizational and participant goals, fostering an iterative improvement model for future programs.
Overall, the Workplace Education Initiative stands as a pillar of workforce development in Nova Scotia, driving economic progress by equipping businesses and their workforces with the necessary skills to navigate contemporary challenges and seize growth opportunities. Through tailored learning paths and collaborative industry partnerships, WEI not only enhances individual workplace competencies but also contributes significantly to regional economic resilience and prosperity.