Employers can receive up to $10,000 per employee to assist with training costs
Manitoba has boosted its investment in the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant. The total for this year will now reach $8 million to help more employers with employee training.
“Our government is investing more than $2 million in additional funds this year to meet the demand for Canada-Manitoba Job Grants and assist employers to better respond to the impacts of COVID-19,” says Ralph Eichler, minister of economic development and jobs. “This investment will help more employers achieve their business goals including increased productivity, competitiveness and profitability.”
Previously, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island also announced programs for the training of workers.
The first intake for the Manitoba program has officially opened and a second intake period will open in August.
The job grant helps employers offset the costs of training new employees, or costs associated with developing the skills of existing workers to meet the requirements of their present job, or to attain a promotion.
Labour force participation in Manitoba increased to 700,900 in March from 694,200 in February. Employment numbers also improved to 653,500 from 647,200, and the employment rate climbed to 62.2 per cent from 61.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate held steady at 6.8 per cent between the two months.
$10,000 per employee for training
Eligible employers in Manitoba can receive up to $10,000 per employee to assist with training costs delivered by a third party, and up to $100,000 of total funding per employer. Employers with 100 or fewer employees must contribute at least 25 per cent of training costs, and employers with over 100 employees must contribute at least 50 per cent of training costs.
Nearly six in 10 (57 per cent) of Canadian workers say that they are willing to reskill to get into a new career, according to an earlier report.
Eligible costs include tuition fees; textbooks, software and other required materials; exam fees; and travel costs for the training of individuals in northern and remote communities.
The application process for 2021-22 has also been streamlined to make it even easier for applicants to apply and shorten the grant approval time, says Eichler.
In February, the federal government announced it was investing $63.5 million over five years to help certify skilled tradespeople and prepare them to fill available jobs in the economy.
