B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG)
The B.C. Employer Training Grant provides funding to small, medium and large enterprises to support skills training for their workforces, including prospective new hires.
The intent of this program is to help British Columbians access the skills training required to adapt to the labour market’s changing job requirements, while also encouraging employer involvement in skills training.
Offered by WorkBC
Amount
80 per cent of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000 per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31)
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Training must result in increased job security or a better job* for a current employee** once training is completed, or a job for an unemployed person.
- At the time of application, participants must be unemployed, or employed by the applicant employer.**
- Employers must submit their application on their own behalf, using their Business BCeID. Third parties cannot apply on an employer’s behalf.
- Participants must submit their own Participant Information Forms before an application can be submitted. Employers cannot submit these on an employee’s behalf.
Employee participants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).
- Training cannot be longer than 52 weeks in length. Note that the ETG does not fund diploma or degree programs, in full or in part.
*A “better job” is defined as:
- Increased pay
- Promotion or advancement to another position
- Move from part-time to full-time employment
- Move from temporary/casual/seasonal employment to permanent employment
** For employers looking to hire workers that have been directly or indirectly impacted by local economic disruptions, such as tariffs or mass layoffs in forestry or other sectors, the ETG may support training for participants employed by another employer at the time of application.
Are self-employed individuals eligible?
Yes. If you are self-employed (for example, a business owner) you are eligible to apply. As a self-employed individual, you name yourself as both the applicant employer and the participant in the application.
Can a participant apply to the ETG directly?
Generally no. Employers must apply on behalf of themselves and their employees. However, if you are self-employed (for example, a business owner) you can apply and name yourself as a participant.
My business has been registered for a while, but I am not currently operating. Am I eligible?
No. Your business must be fully operational for at least one year at the time of application.
I am planning to start a new business. Am I eligible?
No, your business must be fully operational for at least a year at the time you apply.
Who is considered an employee?
A person who is employed and paid by the employer applicant is considered an employee. Employees are generally on the employer’s payroll and receive T4 slips from their employer.
Are people who are not yet employees eligible for training?
Yes, but only if the person is unemployed at the time you apply and you plan to hire them as a result of the training. People employed by another company at the time you apply are generally not eligible. However, if they have been directly or indirectly impacted by local economic disruptions, such as tariffs or mass layoffs in forestry or other sectors, we will support training for participants employed by another employer at the time you apply.
About the funding
Receive up to $300,000 for skills training
The B.C. Employer Training Grant provides funding to small, medium and large enterprises to support skills training for their workforces, including prospective new hires.
Employers can apply as often as they need and receive 80 per cent of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000.
- The Province will reimburse employers 80 per cent of eligible training costs. The employer must contribute the remaining 20 per cent.
Show all funding details
- Employers are eligible to receive up to $10,000 per participant and up to $300,000 per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).
If approved, employers (not participants) are to pay for all costs in full and, after training has started, submit a reimbursement claim within 30 days.
Can I receive some or all of the grant before training starts?
No. You must apply for reimbursement of training expenses after training has started and after you have paid the trainer in full.
Is training that takes place at the workplace eligible?
Yes, if an eligible third-party trainer delivers the training. Workplace training that your employees deliver is not eligible.
Can training take place outside of B.C.?
Most training can be provided by a B.C.-based trainer. We may consider training delivered by trainers not based in B.C. under exceptional circumstances (e.g., if training is not available from a B.C.-based trainer).
Does the program help with travel costs?
Yes, we will help pay for travel costs under certain conditions. Please refer to Appendix C of the ETG Eligibility Criteria for details.
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|---|---|---|---|
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