Canada Job Grant supports British Columbia employers and provides workers with skills training

ENDERBY, BC, July 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan–Shuswap, on behalf of the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, along with Greg Kyllo, Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan and MLA for Shuswap, congratulated employers in Enderby that are training their workers with the help of the Canada Job Grant.

Splatsin First Nation will be receiving a Canada Job Grant to train 37 employees in Enderby in business management and leadership. Mr. Mayes and Mr. Kyllo also highlighted that over 7,300 workers in British Columbia are receiving training through the Canada Job Grant, and that over 1,400 employers have been approved for funding.

The Canada Job Grant is an innovative, employer-driven approach to help Canadians gain the skills and training they need to fill available jobs. It is designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. By requiring employers to invest in training costs, the Canada Job Grant will result in training that leads to guaranteed jobs.

Up to two-thirds of the Grant is contributed by the Government, to a maximum of $10,000, with the remaining portion contributed by the employer. The Grant covers tuition/training fees; mandatory student fees; textbooks, software and other required training materials; and examination fees.

The Canada Job Grant will ensure that employers participate meaningfully as partners in the skills training system and share in the associated costs. This will ensure that training is better aligned with job opportunities, particularly in sectors facing skills mismatches and labour shortages.

Quick Facts

• By 2017–18, a total of approximately $300 million per year will be invested nationally in the Canada Job Grant.
• More than 78 percent of forecasted job demand will require some form of post-secondary education; including 44 percent which will need a college education or apprenticeship training.

Quotes

"The Canada Job Grant will help workers in British Columbia get the skills they need to fill available jobs in today's economy. This is great news for workers and their families across British Columbia. I encourage all local employers to consider their current and future skills needs and apply for a Canada Job Grant to help train new or current employees for available jobs."
– Colin Mayes, Member of Parliament for Okanagan–Shuswap

"A skilled workforce is fundamental to keeping B.C.'s economy diverse, strong and growing. By helping employers and First Nations invest in their workers, we are providing new and better job opportunities. The opportunitythe Splatsin First Nation is providing is a great example of how the Canada–B.C. Job Grant is helping local workers get the skills and training they need to fill those jobs."
– Greg Kyllo, Parliamentary Secretary for the BC Jobs Plan and MLA for Shuswap

"Training for jobs is critical to the health and well-being of our families and children of Splatsin."
– Chief Wayne Christian

Associated Links

Canada Job Grant
Canada Job Grant (British Columbia)

Follow us on Twitter

---

Backgrounder

---

Canada–British Columbia Job Fund Agreement

The Labour Market Agreements were transformed into the new Canada Job Fund Agreements as of April 1, 2014 to ensure greater employer involvement in training. Nationally, the Government of Canada continues to provide $500 million annually to the provinces and territories for investments in skills training through the Canada Job Fund, which includes the Canada Job Grant.

British Columbia is receiving approximately $65 million annually for 6 years (2014-15 – 2019-20)—its per capita share of the $500 million.

The provinces and territories have flexibility on the source of funds for the Canada Job Grant. They may be sourced from their allocations under the Canada Job Fund, the Labour Market Development Agreements or their own provincial/territorial sources.

Canada Job Grant

The Canada Job Grant is helping Canadians get the training they need for available jobs and putting skills training decisions in the hands of employers. It can provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials, which includes up to $10,000 in government contributions. Employers are required to contribute one-third of these training costs. By 2017–18, a total of approximately $300 million per year will be invested nationally in the Canada Job Grant.

The Canada Job Grant is for short-duration training provided by eligible third-party trainers, such as community colleges, career colleges, trade union centres and private trainers. Training can be provided in a variety of settings, including in a classroom, on site at a workplace or online.

All private and not-for-profit businesses with a plan to train Canadians for a new or better job are eligible to apply for a Canada Job Grant.

The Canada Job Grant is flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. Small businesses may benefit from flexible arrangements, such as the potential to count wages as part of the employer contribution. This will help ensure that all businesses, regardless of size, can fully participate in the Canada Job Grant.

The Canada Job Grant is strongly supported by employers and other stakeholders, including:

• Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO;
• National Association of Career Colleges;
• Canadian Federation of Independent Business;
• Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters;
• Canadian Construction Association;
• Information Technology Association of Canada;
• Canadian Welding Bureau;
• Engineers Canada;
• Progressive Contractors Association of Canada;
• Christian Labour Association of Canada;
• Canadian Home Builders' Association;
• Canadian Shipowners Association;
• Canadian Electricity Association;
• Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating;
• Merit Canada;
• Polytechnics Canada;
• Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada;
• Chemistry Industry Association of Canada; and
• Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information: Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]; Media Relations, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour, British Columbia, 250-387-2799