How much funding can training and skills development programs get in Canada?

How much funding can training and skills development programs get in Canada?

If you want to train staff, hire new graduates, or build skills in your business, government funding can cover a meaningful share of the cost. In Canada, training and skills development programs usually fund 25% to 90% of eligible costs. The amount you can get depends on the program, your region, and who is being trained. Some programs offer a few thousand dollars per person. Others provide between $20,000 and $35,000 per hire through wage subsidies.

Below is a clear breakdown of how much funding you can expect, with real examples from active Canadian programs.

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Typical funding ranges for training and skills development programs

Training and skills development funding generally falls into three categories: wage subsidies, direct training cost support, and graduate or youth-focused programs.

1. Wage subsidy programs (most common for employers)

Wage subsidies help employers offset the cost of hiring and training someone on the job.

Typical funding range

• 25% to 66% of wages
• Often capped between $20,000 and $35,000 per employee
• Funding usually lasts 6 to 12 months

Real examples

• Graduate to Opportunity — GTO Grow (Nova Scotia)

  • Covers 25% of the first year’s salary and 12.5% of the second year’s salary
  • Applies to new, permanent, full-time graduate hires
  • For small businesses (under 100 employees), start-ups, and eligible non-profits
  • Funding is tied directly to wages, not training invoices

• GradWorks — Employer Incentive Program (Nova Scotia)

  • Covers up to 66% of wages, to a maximum of $30,360
  • Supports hiring recent Nova Scotia Community College graduates
  • Funding can last up to one year
  • Structured as repayable funding

These programs are best if your training happens on the job while the employee is working full-time.

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2. Direct training and skills development cost funding

Some programs pay for courses, tuition, instructors, travel, or materials instead of wages.

Typical funding range

• 50% to 90% of eligible training costs
• Dollar caps often range from $3,000 to $10,000 per participant
• Usually non-repayable

Real example

• Yukon Heritage Training Fund
  • Up to $3,000 for individual applications
  • Up to $7,500 for group training
  • Covers up to 90% of eligible training costs
  • Can include tuition, professional fees, travel, materials, and facility costs

Programs like this are ideal if you are paying for external training rather than hiring.

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3. Individual and worker-focused skills grants

Some skills development funding goes directly to workers, but it still benefits employers by improving workforce skills.

Typical funding range

• Up to $3,500 per person
• Usually for short-term, job-related training
• Paid to or claimed by the worker

Real example

• StrongerBC Future Skills Grant (British Columbia)
  • Provides up to $3,500 per eligible learner
  • Supports short-term training aligned with labour market needs
  • Available to B.C. residents aged 19+

While employers don’t receive the money directly, these programs reduce training costs and upskilling barriers.

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What affects how much funding you can get?

Your funding amount depends on a few key factors. First, who is being trained—new graduates, unemployed workers, or your current staff—matters. The type of training also plays a role. On-the-job training and classroom courses are often funded differently. Business size and sector can affect eligibility. Your province or territory also changes what you qualify for. Finally, check if the funding is repayable or non-repayable.

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province, business size, and training type in seconds. Sign up for GrantHub to find programs that fit your needs.

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Common mistakes to avoid

1. Assuming training grants are always cash reimbursements
   Many programs pay through wage subsidies, not invoices for courses.

2. Missing stacking rules
   Programs like GTO Grow do not allow other government wage funding for the same position.

3. Overlooking repayable funding
   Some training-related programs, such as GradWorks, are repayable and should be treated more like loans.

4. Applying after training starts
   Most programs require approval before the employee is hired or training begins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much funding can a small business get for training in Canada?
Most small businesses receive between $3,000 and $30,000 per employee, depending on whether funding is tied to wages or direct training costs.

Q: Are training and skills development grants repayable?
Some are non-repayable, but others—like GradWorks—are structured as repayable funding. Always check the funding terms before applying.

Q: Can I combine multiple training programs for the same employee?
Sometimes, but wage subsidies usually cannot be stacked on the same position. Training cost grants may be stackable if rules allow.

Q: Do these programs only apply to new hires?
No. Some programs focus on new graduates or unemployed workers, while others fund skills upgrades for existing employees.

Q: Is there a minimum or maximum salary for wage subsidy programs?
Many programs require full-time, permanent positions with competitive wages, but exact salary thresholds vary by program.

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Next steps

Training and skills development funding in Canada can cover a meaningful share of your costs, but amounts vary widely by program and region. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active training and wage subsidy programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile.

You may also find these guides helpful:

• 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

With the right program mix, training your team does not have to strain your cash flow.