Governments of Canada and Ontario recognize Canada Job Grant recipient in Ontario

DORCHESTER, ON, May 9, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development, and Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin–Middlesex–London, today announced that 15,600 workers in Ontario are receiving training thanks to funding provided through the Canada Job Grant. Approximately 2,200 employers have been approved for funding under the Canada Job Grant in Ontario.

The announcement took place at BOS Innovations, an engineering company with 45 employees in Dorchester. The company is a successful recipient of Canada Job Grant funding that will provide 12 employees with comprehensive training to fully implement new software, giving BOS Innovations greater ability to control its business operation from initial customer contact to final shipping and billing. The funding will also provide an additional four employees with training in robotics software to increase the company's efficiency and competitiveness. As a result of the training, three new employees have been hired and three current employees will receive promotions.

The Canada Job Grant is an innovative, employer-driven approach to help Canadians gain the skills and training they need to fill available jobs. By requiring employers to invest in training costs, the Canada Job Grant will result in skills training that leads to guaranteed jobs.

Under the Canada Job Grant in Ontario, the federal government provides two-thirds of total eligible training costs, up to $10,000, for expenses such as tuition, textbooks and student fees, and the Ontario government delivers the program. Employers are required to contribute the remaining one-third of these training costs, while small businesses have additional flexibility to make an in-kind contribution towards their share of the cost through wages paid to the training participant.

Quick Facts                                      

• BOS Innovations Inc. will receive $52,725 to train 16 employees, three of which will be new hires. The company will invest an additional $13,181 in this training, plus an in-kind contribution of $13,181 through employee wages.
• On average, private-sector forecasters expect employment in Ontario to grow by 1.3 percent per year by 2017. Over the past three years, employment has increased by an annual average of 1.1 percent in Ontario.
• By 2017–18, over $115 million per year will be available for the Canada Job Grant in Ontario.
• Ontario is currently accepting employer applications for the Canada Job Grant. Employers are encouraged to apply at www.ontario.ca/employeetraining.

Quotes

"The Canada Job Grant is taking skills training choices out of the hands of government and putting them where they belong: in the hands of employers and Canadians who want to work. By having employers directly involved in training decisions, the Canada Job Grant will lead to guaranteed jobs and will help businesses grow and succeed. And that is good news for the Canadian economy."
– The Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of Employment and Social Development

"Ontario's continued economic prosperity depends on a highly skilled workforce that is diverse, adaptable and innovative. That's why we've worked with Ontario's job creators to maximize the flexibility and effectiveness of the Canada–Ontario Job Grant and other job training programs. I'm pleased to see that employers in London have responded so positively, because Ontario's economy is stronger when everyone has the opportunity to find work and contribute to the province's growth."
–  The Honourable Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier of Ontario and MPP for London North Centre

"The support provided by the Canada Job Grant has given BOS Innovations the opportunity to invest in the skills of its employees so that we will be better able to meet our clients' needs and grow our company to compete with the world's best."
– Ben Huigenbos, President, BOS Innovations

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Canada–Ontario Job Fund Agreement

The Labour Market Agreements have been transformed into the new Canada Job Fund agreements to ensure greater employer involvement in training. Nationally, the Government of Canada will continue 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.

Ontario will continue to receive over $191 million—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 will help Canadians get the training they need for available jobs and put 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 federal contributions. The program is delivered by the Government of Ontario. 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 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;
• 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