How to Apply for Workforce Development and Training Programs in Canada

How to Apply for Workforce Development and Training Programs in Canada

Hiring is hard. Keeping skilled staff is even harder. Workforce development and training programs in Canada help employers pay for upskilling workers. This support helps businesses stay productive. Many of these programs are delivered through provincial Workforce Development Agreements (WDAs). These agreements transfer federal funding to each province, so they can support job training in ways that fit local needs.

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How Workforce Development Agreements Work

The Workforce Development Agreement is not a single grant. It is a federal–provincial framework that funds many provincial training programs across Canada. Each province designs its own programs based on local labour market needs.

What this means for your business:

• You apply to your province, not the federal government.
• Funding rules, amounts, and deadlines vary by province.
• Programs usually support existing employees, not new hires.
• Training must be job-related and improve workforce skills.

Below are real examples of workforce development and training programs funded under provincial WDA streams.

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Examples of Workforce Development and Training Programs by Province

Quebec: Workforce Training Measure

Program: Workforce Training Measure
Provider: Gouvernement du Québec
Status: Open

This program supports employers who want to train current employees.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Employer must be located in Quebec.
• Open to private businesses, non-profits, cooperatives, self-employed workers, and band councils.
• Training must:
  • Keep people employed.
  • Improve employee performance.
  • Be transferable to other staff.

Funding details:

• Support is provided as a repayable contribution, not a non-repayable grant.
• Funding amounts vary based on the training project.

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New Brunswick: Workforce Expansion Program

Program: Workforce Expansion Program
Provider: Government of New Brunswick
Status: Open

This program supports businesses expanding their workforce and investing in training.

What it supports:

• Workforce expansion.
• Training tied to business growth.

Key note: Funding amounts and cost-share requirements are set on a case-by-case basis.

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Newfoundland and Labrador: Workforce Development Agreement Programs

Program Stream: Workforce Development Agreement
Provider: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Status: Open

The province uses WDA funding to deliver multiple training and employment supports. These programs aim to build a skilled workforce.

Focus areas include:

• Skills development.
• Workforce participation.
• Supporting regional economic growth.

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Alberta: Workforce Partnerships Grants

Program: Workforce Partnerships Grants – Labour Market Partnerships
Provider: Government of Alberta
Status: Open

This program focuses on planning and research, not direct employee training.

Eligible applicants include:

• For-profit businesses.
• Industry and employer associations.
• Non-profits and municipalities.
• Indigenous organizations.

Eligible activities:

• Labour market research.
• Workforce planning.
• Strategies to prevent skills shortages.

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Manitoba: Workforce Training and Employment – Self-Employment

Program: Workforce Training and Employment – Self Employment
Provider: Government of Manitoba
Status: Open

This program supports individuals starting their own business rather than employers training staff.

Who it is for:

• Individuals seeking self-employment.
• Delivered through local service providers.

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How to Apply for Workforce Development and Training Programs

Each province runs its own programs, but most follow similar steps:

1. Identify your province’s programs
   Workforce development funding is provincial. Start with your provincial labour or economic development department.

2. Confirm eligibility early
   Check:

   • Business location.
   • Type of employees.
   • Type of training.
   • Whether funding is a grant or repayable contribution.

3. Define the training plan
   Most programs require:

   • Training objectives.
   • Provider details.
   • Number of employees trained.
   • Expected outcomes.

4. Prepare your budget
   Include:

   • Tuition or trainer fees.
   • Materials.
   • Wages during training (if eligible).

5. Apply before training starts
   Many workforce programs do not fund retroactive training.

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter workforce development programs by province and business type quickly.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying after training begins
   Most programs require pre-approval. If you start training too soon, your costs may not be covered.

2. Assuming all funding is a grant
   Some programs, like Quebec’s Workforce Training Measure, are repayable contributions.

3. Choosing non-transferable training
   Programs often require training that benefits more than one employee.

4. Missing provincial variations
   Rules under the Workforce Development Agreement differ by province.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Workforce Development Agreement a federal grant?
No. It is a federal funding agreement delivered through provincial programs. You apply to your province, not directly to the federal government.

Q: Can small businesses apply for workforce training funding?
Yes. Many programs are open to small and medium-sized enterprises, as long as eligibility criteria are met.

Q: Does workforce training funding cover existing employees?
Yes. Most WDA-funded programs focus on upskilling current staff rather than hiring new employees.

Q: Are non-profits eligible for workforce development programs?
In many provinces, yes. For example, Quebec explicitly lists non-profits as eligible applicants.

Q: Is workforce training funding taxable?
Tax treatment depends on whether the funding is a grant or a repayable contribution. Always confirm with your accountant.

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Next Steps

Workforce development and training programs can help reduce training costs and support staff retention. The key is to find the right provincial program and read the rules closely.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active workforce and training programs across Canada—including those funded under the Workforce Development Agreement—so you can compare your options before you apply.

See also:

• What Business Expenses Are Eligible Across Canadian Grants and Loans?
• Tax Credits vs Grants for Employee Training in British Columbia
• How to stack grants and loans without violating funding rules