Hiring and training skilled trades talent can be expensive. The WILWorks Program for advanced manufacturing is designed to help Canadian manufacturers with these costs. It covers part of a trainee’s wages while they learn on the job. If you run a manufacturing business in Canada, use this checklist to see if your company is eligible before you apply.
The WILWorks Skilled Trades in Advanced Manufacturing stream is a federal initiative delivered by the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC). This program offers up to $5,000 per placement to support hands-on training for young workers entering skilled trades.
Check the points below to see if your business is a good fit for the WILWorks Program.
You must be:
This includes small and medium-sized businesses involved in production, fabrication, automation, machining, or industrial maintenance.
Your business must provide:
This is not a classroom-only program. The focus is on real shop-floor experience, supported by EMC’s self-directed e-learning modules.
To qualify for the wage subsidy, the learner must:
The program supports:
Placements must be connected to skilled trades critical to advanced manufacturing, such as:
If the position supports your long-term skilled workforce needs, it is likely eligible.
The WILWorks pre-apprenticeship placement:
You do not need to commit beyond the placement period, but you must provide meaningful training throughout.
Eligible employers can receive:
The subsidy is generally treated as business income. Confirm the tax treatment with your accountant.
If you want to compare WILWorks with other training and wage subsidy programs, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter options by industry, workforce needs, and province.
Applying for the WILWorks Program involves a few steps:
Check eligibility
Review the checklist above to confirm you meet all requirements.
Prepare your application
Gather business registration details, job descriptions, and information about your training plan.
Contact EMC
Visit the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium website. Complete their application form and submit all required documents.
Work with EMC
EMC reviews your application and may ask for more details. If approved, you’ll sign an agreement and begin the placement.
Track progress
Keep records of training activities and submit reports to EMC as required.
Applying early helps ensure you can secure funding before your planned placement starts.
Even well-prepared businesses can make errors that delay or disqualify their application. Watch for these common mistakes:
Including office or general labour roles
WILWorks is for skilled trades in advanced manufacturing. Administrative or non-technical roles do not qualify.
Not having a mentor available
You must show that experienced staff will train and supervise the learner.
Missing the age requirement
Even strong candidates are ineligible if they are over 29 at the start of the placement.
Treating WILWorks as a wage-only subsidy
The program requires structured learning and participation in EMC-provided training modules.
Q: How much funding does the WILWorks Program provide?
Employers can receive up to $5,000 per eligible placement to offset wages for skilled trades trainees.
Q: Can I use WILWorks for an existing employee?
Yes. The program supports incumbent workers, new hires, and co-op students, as long as the role meets training and eligibility requirements.
Q: Do I need to be an EMC member to apply?
The program is delivered by EMC. Participation usually involves working within their program framework. Confirm membership or participation requirements during the application process.
Q: Is the placement considered an apprenticeship?
WILWorks is a pre-apprenticeship program. It helps prepare learners for skilled trades careers but does not replace a formal apprenticeship registration.
Q: Is the wage subsidy taxable?
In most cases, wage subsidies are treated as business income. Speak with your accountant for advice specific to your business.
After reviewing this WILWorks Program eligibility checklist for Canadian manufacturing businesses, consider how it fits with other training and wage subsidy programs. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada—including manufacturing workforce funding—so you can quickly check which options match your business profile.
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.