Canadian tech employers often struggle to find top talent. Senior developers, data scientists, and cybersecurity experts are especially hard to hire locally. The GO Talent Program lets you connect with skilled international ICT professionals before they arrive in Canada. This helps you reduce hiring risk and fill tough roles faster.
The Global Onboarding of Talent (GO Talent) program is a federal initiative run by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC). It prepares internationally educated ICT professionals for the Canadian job market and connects them with employers before they move to Canada.
Key facts for employers:
Employers can interview, assess, and conditionally hire candidates months before they land in Canada.
While candidates apply directly, employers join the process by working with ICTC’s employer network and talent-matching activities.
GO Talent participants must meet strict requirements:
This careful screening means you meet qualified applicants.
Employers usually take part through:
The goal is for the candidate to arrive in Canada ready to start, not still searching for work.
If you want to see other hiring or training programs that fit your needs, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter options by province and industry.
No. The GO Talent Program does not give direct funding, wage subsidies, or reimbursements to employers.
Still, GO Talent can lower your hiring costs by:
Many employers use GO Talent together with other training or wage subsidy programs after the employee arrives in Canada.
GO Talent is best for roles that:
Common examples include:
If you need to hire someone next week, GO Talent may not be the right fit. If you are planning to grow in the next 6 to 12 months, it can be very useful.
GO Talent is an employment program, not a funding program. There is no application for employer reimbursement.
Candidates are still abroad. Plan for future onboarding, not immediate starts.
GO Talent focuses on mid- to senior-level ICT professionals, not recent graduates.
Hiring internationally means HR, payroll, and onboarding teams must be ready. Lack of planning can delay start dates.
Q: Is the GO Talent Program open to all Canadian employers?
Yes. Employers across Canada can take part, especially those hiring for ICT and digital roles.
Q: Do employers pay to access GO Talent candidates?
GO Talent is publicly funded. Employers usually join through partnerships and events, not per-hire recruitment fees.
Q: Can candidates work right away when they arrive?
Candidates already have Permanent Residence approval, so they can work without employer sponsorship once they land.
Q: Is GO Talent good for startups and SMEs?
Yes. Many small and mid-sized tech firms use GO Talent to plan senior hires and avoid high recruiter fees.
Q: Can GO Talent be combined with wage subsidies or training grants?
Yes. While GO Talent does not offer funding, employers often use it with post-arrival programs that support onboarding or skills training.
If you are planning future tech hires and want access to experienced international talent, the GO Talent Program can help you build your team. Pairing it with the right training or wage support programs can reduce hiring risk even more.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active workforce, training, and hiring programs across Canada. This makes it easier to find options that match your growth plans and hiring timeline.
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