Are you an employer looking to hire?

WorkBC Wage Subsidy Program: The WorkBC Wage Subsidy program is a provincial initiative designed to help employers in British Columbia to hire and train new employees, offering financial reimbursement for a portion of employee wages during the training period. This program serves as a bridge for unemployed job seekers to gain skills, experience, and long-term employment, while helping businesses offset the costs associated with training and onboarding. It is offered to jobseekers who are permanent residents or citizens of Canada who are registered with WorkBC to seek assistance in searching for employment.

A local employer hiring a WorkBC registered unemployed permanent resident or citizen under the wage subsidy program receives a financial subsidy for a negotiated period of time. More information about the eligibility criteria and other details can be provided.

Benefits for Employers

• Reduce cost of hiring and training new employees
• Get coverage of a portion of employee wages for up to 24 weeks
• Fill vacant positions
• Get disability supports to reduce work-related barriers for employees

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP): The Student Work Placement Program works with employers across Canada to fund meaningful work experience placements for students as they transition from their field of study into employment in the environmental sector. Eligible employers can receive a reimbursement of 50% of a student’s salary up to $5000 for 6–16-week placements relating to a student’s program in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) and Business. This program is funded by the Government of Canada’s Employment and Social Development Program

• The program is open to businesses and non-profits of all sizes.
• The employer must be a Canadian-owned or Canadian subsidiary (excludes municipalities, governments, and post-secondary institutions).
• The placement must be 6-16 weeks long, and the student must work a minimum of 180 hours throughout the placement.
• The placement is not required to be formally registered with a post-secondary
  institution.

Training programs

B.C. Employer Training Grant program: The B.C. Employer Training Grant provides funding to small, medium and large enterprises to support skills training for their workforces, including prospective new hires. The intent of this program is to help British Columbians access the skills training required to adapt to the labor market’s changing job requirements, while also encouraging employer involvement in skills training. The Employer Training Grant helps employers pay for training, which in turn helps employees experience increased job security or move into better jobs. For more information about the program, please email [email protected].

Community Workforce Response Grant (CWRG): Focuses on immediate training needs for communities facing economic disruption, targeting sectors like construction, health, and technology. CWRG funds cohort-based training that helps people get the occupational skills needed for jobs in their community. Grant funding pays for training and other supports, such as child care, transportation, special equipment and employment services. Apply online with your organization’s BCeID business-level account