Canada – Ontario Jobs Grant

Jeff Green | Nov 26, 2014

A new granting program, the Canada-Ontario Jobs Grant (COJG), provides an opportunity for employers to invest in their workforce.

“This granting program is designed to provide new schools for existing workers,” said Karen McGregor of the St. Lawrence College Employment Centre in Sharbot Lake. “The Job Grant will provide direct financial support to employers to purchase training for their existing and new employees with a plan to deliver short term training for up to 52 weeks to cover skills gaps.”

The grant will pay up to 2/3 of training costs, up to $10,000 per person, and employers will be required to cover the other 1/3. Small businesses may be eligible for an in-kind contribution to cover their share of the costs. The definition of small business is generous, up to 50 employees. The training must be provided by a qualified, third party trainer.

For information, contact Leslie Pickard, employer liaison with the employment centre at 613-549-3949 extension 1686.

Online applications are available at www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/coig/index.html.

Other programs that are available at the center include

the Youth Employment Fund (YEF) for youth between 15 and 29 to learn on the job skills. The center can provide incentives to employers to help cover the cost of wages and training for new hires in job placements from 4-6 months in duration.

As well, the Ontario Self-Employment Benefit is a program to promote the start up of new business ventures. Participants in this program must be in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits and meet eligibility criteria.

Second Career is a program for recently laid-off workers for which long term skills training is the most appropriate intervention to transition them into high-demand occupations in the local labour market. EI claimants, EI Reachback or non-EI eligible workers can apply.