If you are losing good staff, you are not alone. Labour shortages are a big challenge for New Brunswick employers, especially small and mid-sized businesses. Government HR support programs can help you improve employee retention. They do this by strengthening hiring practices and management skills. These programs also help improve workplace culture. Often, there is no direct cost to your business.
Replacing an employee is expensive. The costs of recruiting, onboarding, and lost productivity add up quickly. Government-backed HR programs focus on fixing the root causes of turnover. These include unclear policies, weak onboarding, or a lack of growth opportunities. They do more than just fill vacancies.
In New Brunswick, services like Working NB Employers provide access to workforce consultants. These consultants understand local labour challenges. They can help you build long-term retention strategies.
Working NB Employers is a provincial service that helps employers recruit, retain, and manage employees more effectively. While it does not provide direct funding, the HR support can lower turnover costs and help you keep staff longer.
Key support available:
Who is eligible:
Why it helps retention:
Workforce consultants can help you find out why employees leave. They suggest changes to keep staff longer, such as better onboarding, clearer job expectations, or improved communication between managers and staff.
How to access it:
Employers can connect directly through the Working NB website and request support from a workforce consultant.
While not a grant, BDC Advisory Services — Human Resources provides structured HR consulting that supports long-term employee retention across Canada.
What it offers:
Who it is for:
Why it helps retention:
Poor management is a top reason employees leave. BDC’s HR advisors focus on leadership skills, performance management, and workplace culture. These are all important for keeping staff.
If you want to check which HR and workforce support programs may fit your business, GrantHub’s eligibility matcher lets you filter by province and business type.
Here are practical steps to improve employee retention with government HR support:
Start with a retention check-up
A workforce consultant can review your current HR practices. They can identify gaps, such as inconsistent onboarding or unclear policies.
Improve onboarding and role clarity
Employees are more likely to stay when they know what is expected from day one. Government HR advisors can help you standardize job descriptions and onboarding plans.
Train managers, not just staff
Retention often depends on front-line supervisors. Programs like BDC HR Advisory focus on leadership skills that reduce burnout and turnover.
Plan for different workforce needs
Working NB can help you access retirees, seasonal workers, or flexible staffing options. This reduces pressure on your core team.
Assuming HR support is only for large companies
Working NB Employers supports businesses of all sizes, including small teams.
Waiting until turnover becomes a crisis
Retention strategies are most effective when used early, not after several employees leave.
Looking only for cash grants
Advisory services may not provide funding, but they can often save more money by reducing the need for repeat hiring.
Not involving managers in the process
Retention improvements fail when leadership practices do not change.
Q: Does Working NB Employers provide grants or funding?
No. Working NB Employers focuses on HR, recruitment, and retention services rather than direct financial funding.
Q: Is Working NB support taxable for businesses?
Since no direct funding is provided, there are generally no tax implications for businesses using the service.
Q: Who can use Working NB employer support?
Employers of all sizes operating in New Brunswick are eligible to access support.
Q: Can government HR support really improve employee retention?
Yes. By improving management practices, onboarding, and workplace culture, these programs address common reasons employees leave.
Q: How do I get started with a workforce consultant?
You can contact Working NB directly through their website to be connected with a workforce consultant.
GrantHub tracks a wide range of HR and workforce support programs across Canada. You can check which options match your business profile.
Employee retention improves when you invest in better people practices, not just higher wages. Government HR support programs like Working NB Employers offer expert help without adding major costs. To see what other workforce, training, or HR programs are available in your province, you can use GrantHub to find the right options quickly.
See also:
Was this article helpful?
Rate it so we can improve our content.
Canada Proactive Disclosure Data
The Canadian government has funded over 400,000 businesses through 1.27 million grants and contributions. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.