Small business grants for hiring can be very rewarding, and a great first step toward making Canadian government funding a part of your business’ strategic growth plan.
Too busy to keep up with small business grants for hiring programs?
One of the biggest reasons Canadian small business grants for hiring are not widely accessed by small and medium-sized businesses is because the programs can be difficult to keep track of. Funding programs are run by several organizations and each program has unique timelines, eligibility factors, etc.
Let Mentor Works Canadian small business grants and loans experts help!
Sign up for Mentor Works’ Canadian government funding weekly e-newsletter to stay informed of programs that can help fund your business. We profile a different program on our blog every day, and once you have worked with us we will alert you whenever a suitable program becomes available so that you can be the first in line for funding.
Top 5 Canadian Business Grants for Hiring
Every hiring program has its own unique goals set out by the government agency and/or organization heading up the program. However, generally speaking these programs help employees enter the workforce and/or develop career-related skills while giving small and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to hire on highly skilled employees that will help them build a competitive advantage domestically as well as globally. The following are currently among the most popular Canadian business grants for hiring programs utilized by Mentor Works’ clients:
1. HRSDC Career Focus Government Grants for Hiring
Human Resources and Skill Development Canada (HRSDC) offers the HRSDC Career Focus Canadian business grants for hiring program, which covers the majority of post-secondary graduate’s wage for a term of up to 25 weeks. In order to qualify, participating employees’ educational background must match the position.
Amount: Up to $20/hour or $20,000 total per intern.
Eligibility Factors: Incorporated businesses as well as a variety of non-profits. Employer must be able to provide mentorship as well as career-related experience.
Timeline: Open; expect the process to take between 6-8 weeks.
Example Positions: Engineer, Financial Analyst, Marketing Analyst, Admin, Software Developer, Graphic Designer, Business Development Personnel, etc.
2. YMCA High Demand Youth Internship Program
The YMCA High Demand Youth Internship Program (HD-YIP) is a wage subsidy program that supports small and medium-sized businesses looking to hire a full-time intern.
Amount: The maximum amount of support is $8/hour (minimum wage must be $16/ hour).
Eligibility Factors: Must be a for-profit firm operating within Canada (since at least 2 years prior to application) with a minimum of 5 full-time employees, and at least$2 million in general liability insurance.
Timeline: The YMCA HD-YIP Program is now accepting applications from businesses across Canada. All internships end by February 28, 2014.
Example Positions: Knowledge-based technology, manufacturing, construction, retail trade, accounting, and more.
3. CCAA Career Focus for Aerospace & Aviation Hires
Through the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA) Career Focus Hiring Program, aviation & aerospace businesses located in Canada are eligible to receive small business grants for hiring recent post-secondary graduates for “high-demand roles” within the industry.
Amount: Up to 50% or $17,000 for a minimum 4 month term.
Eligibility Factors: Employment must be for a minimum of 30 hours per week. For more information, please visit our CCAA Canadian business grants eligibility blog.
Timeline: Open. The CCAA Career Focus Program ends in March 2014, but funding often runs out beforehand.
Example Positions: Any high demand position within the industry.
4. BioTalent Career Focus Canadian Business Grants for Hiring
BioTalent Canada is offering the BioTalent Career Focus Canadian government grants for hiring program to recent graduates and employers in the biotechnology sector.
Amount: Up to $20,000 in Canadian government funding to hire a full-time employee for a 12-month term.
Eligibility Factors: Participating employees must have graduated within the last 3 years.
Timeline: This program is open, but remaining funding is limited –so apply as soon as possible.
Example Positions: Any role with relevant experience to the recent graduate in a bio-related company.
5. Business Grants in Ontario: Ontario Exporter’s Fund Hiring Program
The Ontario Exporter’s Fund (OEF) offered through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce is one of the least well-known but most lucrative hiring programs we have helped our clients access. The program was established to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) grow international sales by providing small business grants support to hire an experienced Export Manager.
Amount: Up to $40,000 per year for 2 years ($80,000 maximum).
Eligibility Factors: SMEs must have between $1M and $20M in revenue, with 10-50% coming from export sales.
Timeline: Open.
Eligible Positions: Export Manager, International Business Development Manager.
For Additional Knowledge and Support Contact the Canadian Government Funding Experts
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