What's New

(December 29, 2022)

To speed up the processing and payment process, and to support administrative fairness, the following changes will become effective for applications submitted February 1, 2023, or later:

Employers will no longer be required to submit a business licence for the previous year, but must provide a copy for the current year, if required by their municipality to operate.
Employers may choose training delivered by private training institutions, but these institutions will need to follow all of the requirements set out by the Private Training Institutions Branch.

(October 5, 2022)

Increased support for forest sector workers

The B.C. Employer Training Grant supports workers directly or indirectly impacted by a downturn in the forest sector (e.g., due to old growth deferral impacts). Specifically:

When impacted by a downturn in the forest sector, employers (including self-employed workers and contractors) who are looking to adapt to a new line of business are now eligible for funding to reskill themselves or their employees.

Example: A self-employed heavy equipment operator (buncher) cannot find work due to a downturn in the forest sector. The contractor has a background in construction and, after seeing a career counselor, applies to the B.C. Employer Training Grant to adapt to a new line of business and be trained as a home inspector.

Employers are now able to access funding to train and hire workers from another company when those workers are at risk of losing their jobs due to a downturn in the forest sector.

Example: An industrial building and fire suppression company applies to the B.C. Employer Training Grant funding to reskill a logging truck driver to become a crane operator. The participant’s employment at a mill had already been reduced to part-time and they were at risk of becoming unemployed.

(May 25, 2022)

We have simplified our reimbursement requirements making it easier and faster to receive grant funding. Please review the latest Reimbursement Guidelines before submitting a claim.

(May 17, 2022)

It will soon become easier to apply for B.C. Employer Training Grant funding. We’re simplifying the program to support an efficient, equitable process, and improve service delivery – helping you develop your workforce with the right skills in response to your labour market needs.

The following program improvements will become effective for applications submitted on or after June 1, 2022:

One simplified set of criteria for all applicants. Applicants will no longer need to choose between streams when applying.
One reimbursement amount of 80% for eligible expenses up to $10,000 per participant, per fiscal year.
All employers remain eligible for up to $300,000 per fiscal year.