Governments of Canada and British Columbia launch the Canada Job Grant to help British Columbians get jobs

VANCOUVER, Oct. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and the Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour for British Columbia, announced today that employers in British Columbia can now apply for the Canada Job Grant, an innovative, employer-driven approach to help Canadians gain the skills they need for available jobs.

The Canada Job Grant is designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. By requiring employers to put more skin in the game, the Canada Job Grant will result in training that leads to guaranteed jobs for British Columbians.

The Canada Job Grant will provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials (up to $10,000 from the federal government and $5,000 from employers). For details on how to apply for the Canada Job Grant, please visit: www.workbc.ca/canadabcjobgrant.

The Canada Job Grant is part of the $65 million Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement provided by the Government of Canada. While the Grant will help employers and employees get the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow, the Fund will also ensure training programs exist to give vulnerable workers the skills to enter or progress in the job market. 

Quick Facts

• BuildForce Canada estimates that between 2013 and 2021, approximately 54,500 new workers will need to be recruited for the construction industry in British Columbia.
• According to the Mining Industry Human Resources Council, the British Columbia mining industry will need to recruit over 10,000 workers by 2022.
• Over the next 10 years, Canada will need 300,000 new workers in the construction sector, up to 150,000 new workers in the petroleum sector and 145,000 new workers in the mining sector.

Quotes

"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. The Canada Job Grant is part of our commitment to address the paradox of too many Canadians without jobs in an economy of too many jobs without Canadians. With employers' skin in the game, the Canada Job Grant will lead to a guaranteed job. Helping employers train Canadians for jobs that need to be filled will help their businesses grow and succeed—and that is good news for the British Columbia economy."
– The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development

"The Canada Job Grant is a win for employers and a win for workers looking for the kind of training that will make sure they are first in line for the million job openings we expect in British Columbia by 2022. To fill those jobs and continue building our economy we need businesses taking advantage of the Canada Job Grant and stepping up to train workers. Through the wider Canada Job Fund both levels of government will remain focused on ensuring those who are currently under-represented in the workforce can maximize their skills."
– The Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour for British Columbia

"The Canada Job Grant offers employers an innovative, new opportunity to build the robust, inclusive and highly trained workforce we need today and into the future. PCA is particularly pleased with the potential of the Job Grant to support skills training and job creation among under-represented communities in the skilled trades, including women, First Nations and new Canadians."
–  Paul de Jong, President, Progressive Contractors Association of Canada

"A Canadian business' ability to improve its productivity and competitiveness is directly linked to that company's investment in developing employee and management skills. The Canada Job Grant recognizes the pivotal importance of these investments by targeting government support so that it helps our businesses succeed."
– John Winter, President and CEO, British Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Associated Links

Canada Job Grant
Canada-British Columbia Job Fund
Canada Job Grant (British Columbia)

Backgrounder

Canada-British Columbia Job Fund Agreement

The Labour Market Agreements, created in 2007, are being transformed into the new Canada Job Fund Agreements to ensure greater employer involvement in training. British Columbia will receive approximately $65 million per year through the Canada Job Fund Agreement. 

Canada Job Grant

The Canada Job Grant will help Canadians get the training they need for available jobs and put skills training decisions in the hands of employers. It will 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 will be required to contribute one-third of the total costs of training.

The Government of Canada will provide over $38 million annually to the Province of British Columbia for the Canada Job Grant once it is fully implemented. The Canada Job Grant will be delivered by the Province of British Columbia.

By 2017–18, a total of approximately $300 million per year will be invested nationally in the Canada Job Grant.

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

The Canada Job Grant will be 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 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 will be eligible to apply for a Canada Job Grant, once it is implemented.

The Canada Job Grant will be flexible enough to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. Small businesses will 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 will ensure that employers participate meaningfully as partners in the skills training system, sharing in the associated costs. This will ensure that training is better aligned with job opportunities, particularly in sectors facing skills mismatches and labour shortages.

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

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

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada

Alexandra Fortier, Office of the Minister, 819-994-2482; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected], Follow us on Twitter; Media Relations, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour, British Columbia, 250-387-2799