Wage Subsidies and Training Funding for Northern Employers (BC, Yukon, Nunavut, NWT)

Hiring and training staff in Northern Canada is expensive. Labour shortages, remote locations, and higher wages all add pressure to your payroll. Targeted labour market programs can help by covering part of employee wages or training expenses for employers in Northern BC, Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories.

Governments use these programs to support local employment and skills development in regions where recruiting is hardest. Many are ongoing and can sometimes be combined if you plan carefully.

How Targeted Labour Market Programs Support Northern Employers

These programs are funded by the federal and territorial governments through special agreements. Each province or territory delivers them and adapts them to local labour needs.

For Northern employers, funding usually falls into two main categories:

Wage subsidies to help with the cost of hiring and training new workers
Training funding to improve the skills of existing or newly hired employees

Below are key programs currently available in Northern regions, using verified program data.

Key Wage Subsidy and Training Programs by Region

Northwest Territories: Employee Training Program

Program: Employee Training Program
Administrator: Government of the Northwest Territories – Education, Culture and Employment

This program helps NWT employers cover the cost of short-term, third-party training.

Funding details

Up to $13,000 per employee over 52 weeks
Covers essential skills, technical courses, business, management, and leadership training
Training must be short-term (maximum 52 weeks)
Funding is a non-repayable grant

Eligibility highlights

Training must be delivered by an approved third-party training provider
You must apply within three months of the employee starting
You must have a job available for the employee after training
Apprenticeship technical training is not eligible

Yukon: Paid Sick Leave Rebate for Employers

Program: Paid Sick Leave Rebate
Administrator: Government of Yukon – Department of Economic Development

While not a traditional wage subsidy, this rebate reduces payroll costs tied to employee absences.

Funding details

Covers up to 40 hours of wages per employee per year
Application must be submitted within 30 days of the sick leave taken

This program is especially useful for small Northern employers with limited HR flexibility.

British Columbia (Northern & Rural Communities): Employ for Youth – BC

Program: Employ for Youth
Administrator: Community Futures

This is a structured employability and training program that benefits employers by preparing job-ready youth.

Program structure

Targets youth aged 16–30 not in full-time school
First 4 weeks: paid employability and certification training
Next 8 weeks: job coaching and transition into employment

While funding is not paid directly as a wage subsidy, employers benefit from candidates who already have workplace training and certifications.

Nunavut: Targeted Labour Market Supports

Nunavut delivers employer supports through community-based training and wage subsidy agreements under territorial labour market funding.

Programs typically:

Support hiring local and Indigenous workers
Cover on-the-job training costs
Require a commitment to continued employment after the subsidy period

Funding amounts and eligibility vary by community and are often managed through regional employment offices.

How Wage Subsidies and Training Funding Are Usually Structured

Across Northern regions, most programs follow similar rules:

Subsidies cover a percentage of wages or training costs, not full compensation
Funding is tied to specific employees, not general payroll
Employers must show training plans or job descriptions
Many programs require proof of continued employment after funding ends

If you need help understanding which programs you qualify for, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can filter options by province, territory, and industry. GrantHub’s database is updated regularly with the latest wage subsidy and training funding options.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying after the employee has already been trained
Many programs require approval before or shortly after the employee starts.
Assuming all funding is non-repayable
While most wage subsidies are non-repayable grants, always check program rules for exceptions.
Using ineligible training providers
Third-party training often must be pre-approved by the territory.
Not planning for post-training employment
Most programs require a job to be available after training ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Northern employers combine wage subsidies and training funding?
Yes, in many cases you can stack programs if costs are not double-claimed. Approval depends on the territory and funding source.

Q: Are Indigenous-owned businesses eligible for these programs?
Yes. Many Northern labour market programs actively prioritize Indigenous employers and Indigenous hires.

Q: Do I need to be incorporated to apply?
Not always. Sole proprietors and partnerships are often eligible if they have a valid business number and operate locally.

Q: How long do wage subsidies usually last?
Most wage subsidies run between 8 weeks and 12 months, depending on the program and employee type.

Q: Are these programs available year-round?
Many are ongoing but funded annually. Availability can change once yearly budgets are fully committed.

Federal vs Provincial Wage Subsidy Programs in Canada: Key Differences
Common Mistakes Employers Make When Applying for Wage Subsidy Grants
Government Funding for Workforce Training and Upskilling in Canada

Next Steps

Wage subsidies and training funding can lower hiring costs and reduce risk for Northern employers. But eligibility rules and program details are different in each territory and often change. Check the latest program guides before applying. If you want to see current options that fit your business, GrantHub tracks hundreds of active labour market and training programs across Canada — including supports for Northern and remote employers.

Wage Subsidies and Training Funding for Northern Employers (BC, Yukon, Nunavut, NWT)