Training Staff? The Saskatchewan government has incentives!

You know the value of employee training. It equips your team with the skills, knowledge, and resources to effectively perform their jobs. It is an investment to grow your people and grow your business.

To help Saskatchewan employers build and maintain their competitive edge in the marketplace, the province offers the financial supports described below.

Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant

The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant puts skills training decisions in employers’ hands. The program helps develop skills of new or existing employees to help them meet the requirements of their present job or to move up in the company.

Eligible employers contribute one-third of the training costs, and the federal and provincial governments contribute two-thirds. An employer can receive up to $100,000 per fiscal year, and up to $10,000 per individual trainee. Training must be conducted by a third-party provider.

What is required of the employer?
Employers will:

• Complete the Employer Application Form with one Training Provider Quote.
• Select the trainees and the training program.
• Receive reimbursement for two-thirds of eligible training costs.
• Employ the trainee at the end of training.
  

• Must be delivered by a third party not affiliated with the employer applicant;
• Must be a minimum of 24 hours in length per trainee by the same training provider and completed within a 52 week period;
• Must result in a credential (record of completion, certificate, grade, etc.); and
• Must not replace an employer's existing investment in training.

Who can be trained?
Trainees must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents with a Social Insurance Number. Both existing and potential employees are eligible. Temporary Foreign Workers are not eligible.

How is the training done?
Third-party trainers include:

• Post-secondary education institutions;
• Private vocational schools, trade unions; and
• Private industry trainers.

What training costs are eligible?
Eligible training costs include:

• Tuition fees or fees charged by the training provider;
• Mandatory student fees;
• Textbooks, software and other required materials;
• Learning material fees; and
• Examination fees.

Any training completed prior to an approved contract is not eligible for funding.

More information is available from, and application packages are to be sent to, the nearest Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant office.

Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy

The Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy is a temporary program supporting employers’ investment in the development of a skilled workforce needed to recover and rebuild after the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible employers will be reimbursed 100% of eligible training costs up to a maximum of $5,000 per business.

Objectives are to:

• Support employers in meeting the challenges brought on by COVID-19,
• Provide enhanced training support to ensure employers are able to access training to sustain business activities while stimulating competitiveness;
• Reduce obstacles to hiring, retraining and retaining workers to boost the province's economic recovery.

What is required of the employer?
Employers will:

• Review the checklist, guide and application form.
• Select the employee(s) and the training program;
• Receive payment of up to 100% of training costs after submitting final reports and verification of expenditures.

Are there requirements for the training?
Training is flexible. Employers choose the training program and mode of delivery that will meet their needs within the following requirements:

• Must be delivered by a Saskatchewan-based third party that has been in business for one year and is not affiliated with the employer;
• Must be a minimum of 8 hours in length per trainee by the same training provider and completed within 4 months;
• Must start within 4 months of the application date;
• Must result in a credential (record of completion, certificate, grade, etc.).

Who can be trained?
Trainees must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents with a Social Insurance Number. Existing employees, and small business owners can participate. Temporary Foreign Workers are not eligible.

How is the training done?
Third party trainers include:

• Post-secondary education institutions;
• Private vocational schools; or
• Private industry trainers.

What training costs are eligible?
Eligible training costs include:

• Tuition fees or fees charged by the training provider;
• Mandatory student fees;
• Textbooks, software and other required materials;
• Learning material fees; and
• Examination fees.

Applications submitted less than 10 business days prior to the start date of training may not be approved.

More information is available at cansaskjobgrant@gov.sk.ca, or 306-964-1005 (Saskatoon) or 306-787-4677 (Regina).

CFIB Business Advisors are available to answer CFIB members’ questions. Contact us at 1-833-568-2342 or cfib@cfib.ca.