The Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) is a government-funded subsidy that offsets the cost of training new and existing employees. The goal of this program is to help employers invest in their workforce by sharing the cost of training – ultimately, to support job creation, increase job quality or provide job advancement opportunities. Our role is to help employers navigate the application process and distribute reimbursements on behalf of Employment Ontario. Our services are provided to employers for free.
For more information, or assistance with your application, fill out an information request form.
Program Benefits
- Save up to 5/6 of training costs for eligible employers – up to $10,000 reimbursement per trainee
- Enhanced employee satisfaction and improved business performance
- Freedom to choose the employees to be trained, type of training and training provider
- Available to small, medium and large organizations
Funding
Eligible Expenses
- Tuition and related fees
- Textbooks, software and other required materials (e.g. training clothing, tools, equipment, disability supports, etc.)
- Mandatory student fees
- Examination fees
Employer responsibilities
- Identify skills gaps, the type of training that will address those gaps
- Identify the individuals to be trained
- Commit to having a job, or conditional job offer, for the trainee upon completion of training
- Pay the upfront cost of training in full
Considerations
It’s important to note that funding is not guaranteed. While all eligible applications are reviewed, priority will be based on a tiered system of conditions. Top priority is placed on Tier 1 applications.
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Example
Employers must pay the cost of training upfront and in full. An employer who qualifies for funding will be reimbursed up to 5/6s of the cost of training.
| <100 employees | > 100 employees | |
|---|---|---|
| Percent reimbursed | 83.3% | 50% |
| Upfront cost of training paid by employer | $12,000 | $12,000 |
| Cost of training reimbursed by COJG | $10,000 | $6,000 |
| Cost of training ultimately paid by employer | $2,000 | $6,000 |
Eligibility and Suitability
Employers
In order to be eligible for the COJG, employers must:
- Be able and committed to pay the full upfront cost of training
- Provide the minimum cash contributions towards training costs
- Provide a conditional job offer or continue to employ the trainee after successful completion of training
- Apply for training that is delivered in Ontario and is related to a job that is also located in Ontario
- Be licensed to operate in Ontario
- Not apply for funding to cover the cost of training required by law
- Not use funding to train the owner or shareholders of an organization
- Not receive government funds for the same trainee
- Not displace existing staff or replace laid-off staff
- Not be a federal, provincial or municipal government agency
- Not be a service provider for Employment Ontario
- Must maintain good standing regarding:
- Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, and all applicable federal and provincial human rights legislation, regulations, and any other relevant standards
- WSIB or alternate workplace safety insurance coverage
- Adequate third party general liability insurance (if applicable)
Employees
In order to be eligible for this program, employees must:
- Be a resident of Ontario
- Not be participating in full-time education or training, including participation in any other government training program (e.g., apprenticeship) that offers similar training supports
Training
In order to be eligible for the COJG, training must:
- Be less than one year in duration
- Be provided in Ontario by an eligible third-party trainer
- Be scheduled to begin after application approval
- Be training for employees
- Not be legally required due to law, regulation or policy
- Not be an apprenticeship; not consulting for organization
This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.