Hiring young talent in skilled trades is hard when training costs are high and productivity takes time. The WILWorks wage subsidies for youth in advanced manufacturing help Canadian manufacturers offset those costs while building their future workforce. Delivered by the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC), this program covers part of a youth employee’s wages during a mentored, hands-on placement.
The WILWorks program is designed for manufacturers who can provide real, shop-floor training in skilled trades. It supports pre-apprenticeship and early-career youth placements in advanced manufacturing environments.
This structure means your business still invests in the hire, but your wage risk is reduced during the training period.
As of the current intake, WILWorks focuses on:
These roles reflect high-demand occupations in advanced manufacturing where employers often struggle to find entry-level talent.
To access WILWorks wage subsidies for youth in advanced manufacturing, your business must meet all of the following:
Your business must be part of Canada’s manufacturing sector. Most applicants are already familiar with EMC through industry groups.
The program is specifically designed to support young workers entering skilled trades.
Eligible participants must:
This makes WILWorks a strong fit if you are hiring co-op students, recent graduates, or youth exploring trades before formal apprenticeship registration.
While EMC manages approvals, employers play an active role in planning the placement.
Typical steps include:
Confirm role fit
Ensure the position aligns with eligible skilled trades and includes mentoring.
Prepare a training plan
Outline what skills the youth will learn and who will mentor them.
Submit employer and participant details
EMC reviews eligibility before approving funding.
Hire and train the youth participant
Wage subsidies are tied to actual employment and training delivery.
GrantHub’s eligibility matcher helps you filter wage subsidy programs by province, industry, and worker type. This is useful if you want to compare WILWorks to other youth hiring options.
Treating the role as general labour
WILWorks requires structured, skills-based training. General production roles without mentoring are often declined.
Missing the age requirement
Even strong candidates are ineligible if they fall outside the 15–29 age range.
No clear mentor assigned
Applications are weaker when mentorship is vague or informal.
Assuming all wages are covered
The program caps support at 50% of wages to $5,000, not the full cost.
For more on application pitfalls, see Common Mistakes Employers Make When Applying for Wage Subsidy Grants.
Q: Is WILWorks a government grant?
No. WILWorks is a non-government program delivered by the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, with national reach across Canada.
Q: How much funding can I receive per youth hire?
Employers can receive up to 50% of wages, capped at $5,000 per participant.
Q: Is the WILWorks wage subsidy repayable?
Yes. Funding is considered repayable if program terms are not met, such as ending the placement early or failing to deliver agreed training.
Q: Can I stack WILWorks with other wage subsidies?
Stacking may be limited. You generally cannot claim multiple programs for the same wage costs. Check program terms before combining subsidies.
Q: Does WILWorks support apprentices already registered?
The program is primarily designed for pre-apprenticeship and early-stage placements. Fully registered apprentices may not qualify.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and wage subsidy programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile before you apply.
If you are planning to hire youth into millwright or industrial electrician roles, WILWorks wage subsidies for youth in advanced manufacturing can reduce your upfront training costs. Before applying, compare it against other sector-specific and youth wage subsidies to avoid overlap. GrantHub helps you identify which programs fit your workforce plans, location, and hiring timeline, so you can move forward with confidence.
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