Innovator Skills Initiative (BC): How to Apply

Innovator Skills Initiative (BC): How to Apply

Hiring for tech and innovation roles in B.C. is competitive and expensive. The Innovator Skills Initiative (ISI) helps offset that cost by funding paid work placements for under-represented talent. Delivered by Innovate BC, this program covers part of a new hire’s wages. This lets your business grow and helps build a more diverse tech workforce.

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What Is the Innovator Skills Initiative?

The Innovator Skills Initiative (BC) is a hiring grant for B.C.-based employers bringing on a new employee in a tech or tech-related role. The goal is to help employers fill skills gaps. It also gives people from under-represented groups their first meaningful work experience in the tech sector.

Funding amount

• Up to $10,000 per approved placement
• Funding is applied toward wages for a new hire

Program status

• ISI runs in intake cycles
• Some streams may be temporarily closed between intakes
  Always confirm current intake status before preparing an application.

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Innovator Skills Initiative Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the Innovator Skills Initiative, both the employer and the new hire must meet specific criteria.

Employer eligibility

Your organization must be:

• Based and operating in British Columbia
• One of the following:
  • A technology business hiring for a business or tech role, or
  • A non-tech organization (including public bodies and Indigenous communities) hiring for a tech role
• Able to demonstrate one of the following:
  • At least 5 full-time employees, or
  • Revenue growth, user growth, or market expansion in the past 12 months, or
  • Secured seed, angel, or venture capital investment

This means early-stage startups can still qualify, even if they have fewer than five employees.

Employee eligibility

The funded employee must:

• Be living in British Columbia
• Be newly hired (not an existing employee)
• Self-identify as part of an under-represented group, such as:
  • Women
  • Indigenous peoples
  • Visible minorities
  • LGBTQ2S+
  • Youth
  • New immigrants
  • People with disabilities
• Work a minimum four-month placement
• Work at least 15 hours per week

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How to Apply for the Innovator Skills Initiative

Applying for ISI is employer-led. Here’s how the process works, step by step.

1. Confirm intake timing

ISI is not always open. Check Innovate BC’s website to confirm:

• Whether the program is accepting applications
• Any upcoming intake dates or waitlists

2. Prepare your business information

You will need:

• Proof your business is B.C.-based
• Evidence of employee count, growth metrics, or investment
• A clear job description for the role you are hiring

3. Identify an eligible candidate

You can:

• Apply with a candidate already identified, or
• Recruit after conditional approval (intake rules may vary)

The role must be net new and meet the minimum hours and duration.

4. Submit the online application

Applications are submitted through Innovate BC’s online portal. You’ll be asked to outline:

• Your business model
• The skills gap you are addressing
• How the placement supports career entry for the candidate

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and industry in seconds, especially if you are comparing ISI with other hiring or training grants.

5. Receive approval and hire

If approved:

• You proceed with hiring
• Wage reimbursements are typically claimed after the placement begins, following Innovate BC’s reporting rules

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying when the program is closed
   ISI operates in cycles. Starting an application outside an intake window wastes time.

2. Hiring before approval
   In most cases, hiring the employee before receiving approval makes the placement ineligible.

3. Using ISI for existing staff
   The program only funds new hires, not current employees moving into new roles.

4. Missing minimum hours or duration
   Placements shorter than four months or under 15 hours per week do not qualify.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Innovator Skills Initiative currently open?
Intake status varies throughout the year. Some streams may be closed between funding rounds, so always check Innovate BC’s program page for current updates.

Q: How much funding does the Innovator Skills Initiative provide?
Employers can receive up to $10,000 per placement, applied toward wages for an eligible new hire.

Q: Can startups with fewer than five employees apply?
Yes. Startups may still qualify if they show recent growth or have secured seed, angel, or venture capital investment.

Q: What counts as an under-represented group?
The program relies on self-identification and includes groups traditionally under-represented in tech, such as women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, LGBTQ2S+, and people with disabilities.

Q: Is Innovator Skills Initiative funding taxable?
In most cases, wage grants are treated as taxable income for the employer. Confirm treatment with your accountant for your specific situation.

After reviewing your questions, remember that GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada. You can check which ones match your business profile to see if ISI or similar programs fit your hiring plans.

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Next Steps

If you plan to hire innovation or tech talent in B.C., the Innovator Skills Initiative (BC) can reduce wage costs while supporting workforce diversity. Before your next hire, review upcoming intake dates and compare ISI with other provincial and federal programs. GrantHub can help you see which hiring and training grants align with your business, location, and growth stage—all in one place.

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Related Guides You May Find Helpful

• Federal vs Provincial Workforce Training Grants: What Canadian Employers Should Use
• Tax Credits vs Grants for Employee Training in British Columbia
• How to Use Small Business BC to Start or Grow a Business

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