Frequently Asked Questions

Application

How do I apply for funding from the Employer Training Grant (ETG)?
If you are an employer and want to apply for a training grant, you can apply online using the Skills Training Grants System. To access the system, you will need a Business BCeID account. If you don't have an account, it can take up to two weeks to receive a BCeID.

To learn more about the Skills Training Grants System and how to get a Business BCeID account, see our Application Support and Troubleshooting guide.

Can I pay a grant-writing company to apply for me?
No. Third parties (e.g. grant writers, trainers, fee-based service providers) cannot apply for you. Employers must apply for themselves and their employees.

Note: You cannot share your BCeID user login ID with a third party. If you don't follow BCeID’s Terms of Use, the User Login ID could be suspended or cancelled. The Province may also take other steps if needed to support BCeID’s Terms of Use and to ensure ETG program integrity.

Are self-employed individuals eligible?
Yes. If you are self-employed (for example, a business owner) you are eligible to apply.

Can a participant apply to the ETG directly?
Generally no. Employers must apply on behalf of themselves and their employees. However, if you are self-employed (for example, a business owner) you can apply and name yourself as a participant.

Can I apply for other government funding to cover the cost of training?
You cannot receive ETG funding when training costs are already covered by another funding source (e.g., government grant or bursary). However, you can apply to the ETG to cover any costs not covered by another funding source.

Can participants pay for any training costs?
No. Employers must pay for all training and training-related expenses. We ask for receipts to verify expense claims before we reimburse expenses.

What if I don’t know who the participant(s) will be? Can I still apply?
No. To make sure that participants are eligible, we need to know who participants will be when you apply. We also need each employee to fill in a Participant Information Form before you can submit an application. 

How does an employer find their North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code?
When you fill in your organizational profile, you will see a series of drop-down options that will help you find your NAICS code. At each level, please choose the option that best matches the main activity of your business. For more information about NAICS codes, please visit the Government of Canada website.

How do I change the training dates that I included in my application?
For an application that has not yet been approved:

• If training will still start within the fiscal year in which you applied (April 1–March 31), please e-mail ETG@gov.bc.ca. Send your application number and the new training dates and we will get back to you.
• If training will start after the fiscal year in which you applied, you must withdraw your application and re-apply.

For an application that has been approved:

• If training will still start within the fiscal year in which you were approved (April 1–March 31), follow these step-by-step instructions to change the dates. 
• If training will start after the fiscal year in which you applied, you must withdraw your application and re-apply. 

I have been approved but would like to change trainers. How do I update my Agreement?
Log in to the Skills Training Grants System and submit a "Training Provider Change Request" before training begins. To submit a change request, follow these step-by-step instructions.

Note: The type of training and cost must be the same as the initial application. If there are changes to the type of training and/or costs, you will need to withdraw your application and re-apply.

Can I change participants on an application that has been submitted but not yet approved?
Yes, but only if training has not started. Log in to the Skills Training Grants System, withdraw your application and re-apply. If you are unable to withdraw your application, please contact ETG@gov.bc.ca.

Can I change a participant on an approved Agreement?
No, you will need to cancel your Agreement and re-apply. However, you cannot re-apply for training that has already started.

How do I submit a claim to reimburse expenses when the cost of training will be different than the approved amounts?
You can submit a claim for expenses for an amount equal to, or less than, the amounts in your agreement. We will not reimburse you for more than the amount in your agreement.

How do I increase the training cost on an application that I submitted?
You must withdraw your application and re-apply.

How do I update my BCeID profile so that another employee from my organization can manage my grant application?
You can get information about how to manage your BCeID at the Business BCeID Questions and Answers page. 

Do I need to do anything after training has been completed?
Yes, you must submit a completion report through the Skills Training Grants System once all participants have finished training. Employers and participants must also do some review activities, such as follow-up surveys by phone or email. 

What if I have trouble filling out the application?
Contact us by email at ETG@gov.bc.ca. We'll be glad to help.

Assessment

How do you set priorities among those who apply?
We use certain priorities to make sure that ETG funds go to the applications that best match the goals of the program and the Province. Our top four priorities are: first-time applicants, small businesses, applicants from regions that have challenges hiring skilled workers, and applicants from industries that have challenges hiring skilled workers. We assess applicants who fit all four priority factors first. Following them, we assess applicants who fit three of the four factors, and so on. 

Applications with a high priority must still meet the latest Eligibility Criteria. You can find out more about the strengths and challenges facing B.C.’s labour market and industries on the WorksBC.ca website.

How do I know if you will assess my application?
We will notify you if we cannot assess your application. We receive a high number of applications and we return any that we cannot assess after 60 days. Because we assess applications in order of priority, we may not be able to assess your application. 

How long will it take to receive a decision on my application?

The time it takes will depend on the number of applications we get. We assess applications that match all four of our priority factors first. After those, we assess applications that fit three of the four factors, and so on. We will contact you as soon as we make a decision on your application. 

You can apply and start the training before your application is approved. However, if we don’t approve your application or return it unassessed, you will have to pay for any training costs yourself.

What are some common reasons that you deny applications?
We deny applications if:

• ​​​Applications are submitted by someone who is not the employer.
• Employers request training for a diploma or degree program, in full or in part.
• Employers request out-of-province training when similar training is available from a B.C.-based trainer.
• Participants are temporary foreign workers, international students or on a working holiday visa.
• Employers choose training that offers low value for money (see next question for more information). 

What is value for money? How do you determine it?
To qualify for funding, you must show that the cost of training is reasonable and gives good value for money. Good value for money means more than cutting costs or choosing the cheapest training. Some expensive training can still give good value for money, while some cheaper training may give low value for money. 

To assess the value for money of your training, we look at several factors, such as cost, efficiency, effectiveness and equity. For example:

• Does the training offer the best price for the quality of training? That is, does the training provider or course offer a lower cost while offering high quality training?
• What are the main things that lead to the cost? For example, if the costs are higher than alternatives, we will look to see if the trainer uses specialized equipment, spaces or tools;, if training is customized or tailored for your business;, or if training is being delivered in a region where training options are limited.
• What will the results be? Can you show how training will lead to a better job or increased job security for someone who is already employed or help an unemployed person get work?
• Are you a first-time applicant, small business, or from a region or industry that has the greatest challenges acquiring skilled workers?

What if I believe my application was denied in error? Can I appeal the decision?
Most decisions can be appealed, but please ask us to explain the decision first. You may find you don’t need to submit a formal appeal. If you still don’t agree with the decision, we will send you the Appeal Guidelines. Appeals must be received within 15 days of the denial decision date. 

Funding

What is the maximum amount my business can receive?
Employers may receive up to $300,000 in one fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).

What is the maximum amount our business can receive per participant?
Employers may receive up to $10,000 per participant in one fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). We will reimburse up to 80% of training expenses up to this maximum.

Can I receive some or all of the grant before training starts?
No. You must apply for reimbursement of training expenses after training has started and after you have paid the trainer in full.

What should I do if the cost of training is in U.S. dollars?
You must convert the cost to Canadian dollars and include this amount in your application. We will use receipts and the currency exchange rate at the time you paid for training to verify the amount of the claim. If the converted amount is greater than the approved amount, we will pay only the approved amount in the agreement. 

Eligibility

Employer Eligibility

My business is not registered on the Corporate Registry with B.C. Registry Services. Can I still apply?
You can still apply if you are not registered with BC Registry Services. We check that your business is registered in order to verify that your business has been fully operational for at least one year at the time you applied. If you are not registered, we will ask for additional documents to ensure you are fully operational. For example, we could ask for Notices of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency or corporate financial statements.

My business is operational, but I don’t need a business license to operate. Can I still apply?
We ask for a business licence to verify that your business has been fully operational for at least one year at the time you applied. You can still apply if you do not need a business licence to operate, but we may ask for additional documents to ensure you are fully operational. For example, we could ask for Notices of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency or corporate financial statements.

My business has been registered for a while, but I am not currently operating. Am I eligible?
No. Your business must be fully operational for at least one year at the time of application.

I am planning to start a new business. Am I eligible?
No, your business must be fully operational for at least a year at the time you apply.

Participant Eligibility

Are people who are not yet employees eligible for training?
Yes, but only if the person is unemployed at the time you apply and you plan to hire them as a result of the training. People employed by another company at the time you apply are generally not eligible. However, if they have been directly or indirectly impacted by a downturn in the forest sector, we will support training for participants employed by another employer at the time you apply.

Are high school students eligible?
Yes, but students must be at least 16 years old. Only training costs for the non-high school portion of training is eligible. We don’t support programs that are available for free.

Are contracted workers eligible?
Yes. Contracted workers are eligible if you will hire them as a result of training.

Are refugees eligible? 
No. Refugee claimants are not eligible. A refugee claimant is someone who has arrived in Canada and has claimed refugee status but has not yet been deemed a refugee. Participants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons (as designated under the Canada Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) who are legally allowed to work in Canada at the time you apply. We may ask you to provide proof of residency.

Are temporary foreign workers eligible?
No. Temporary foreign workers are not eligible. This includes international students and those with working holiday visas. Participants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons (as designated under the Canada Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) who are legally allowed to work in Canada at the time you apply. We may ask you to provide proof of residency.

Are employees who live outside of B.C. eligible?
Yes, if you intend to hire them or continue to employ them from B.C.

How does an employee find their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code?
For help finding the NOC that best matches a job title, click here.

What if a participant is collecting Employment Insurance (EI) or Income Assistance (IA) at the time of training?
EI or IA clients may be eligible for training funded by the ETG. However, they must get approval from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction before training starts. Please refer to Appendix A of the ETG Eligibility Criteria for more details. You can get more information about Income Assistance from SDPR at 1-866-866-0800 or online.

Are family members eligible?
Family members may be eligible. However, the ETG program must avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest between an employer and the choice of participant. Appendix D of the ETG Eligibility Criteria gives examples of situations where a real or perceived conflict of interest could happen. If you plan to choose a family member to receive ETG-funded training, please contact us at ETG@gov.bc.ca.

Training Eligibility

Training has already started. Can I still apply?
No, you must apply before training starts. Our goal is to help employers provide training to current or future employees that the employer could not provide without assistance. Grants do not replace investments that employers are already making in training their staff.

Can training begin before I receive a decision on my application?
Yes. But if you begin training and we deny the application or return it unassessed, we will not pay for any costs. Also, even if we approve an application, we may find some costs are not eligible. 

Is training that takes place at the workplace eligible?
Yes, if an eligible third-party trainer delivers the training. Workplace training that your employees deliver is not eligible. 

Can training take place outside of B.C.?
Most training can be provided by a B.C.-based trainer. We may consider training delivered by trainers not based in B.C. under exceptional circumstances (e.g., if training is not available from a B.C.-based trainer).

Does the program help with travel costs?
Yes, we will help pay for travel costs under certain conditions. Please refer to Appendix C of the ETG Eligibility Criteria for details.

What if I can’t follow through on training under my Agreement?
You can cancel your Agreement through the Skills Training Grants System. If we have already paid you for expenses, please contact us as soon as possible at ETG@gov.bc.ca.

Trainer Eligibility

Is there a list of approved programs, courses or trainers eligible for ETG funding?
No. We assess all applications individually. Even if we have approved a program, course or trainer in the past, we may not approve them in a new application.

Can a trainer who is not based in B.C. deliver the training?
Training must be provided by a B.C.-based trainer. We may consider training delivered by trainers not based in B.C. under exceptional circumstances only (e.g., if training is not available from a B.C.-based trainer).

Reimbursement

When and how can I claim for reimbursement of my expenses?
To claim your expenses, you must submit a completed reimbursement claim through the Skills Training Grants System within 30 days after the start of training. For more details, you can review the latest Reimbursement Guidelines.

What are some common reasons that you deny claims for expenses?
We deny claims if:

• Claims do not include valid receipts or other documents.
• Training occurred outside of the approved period. 

Can I still claim expenses if a participant does not complete training?
Please contact us at ETG@gov.bc.ca if you expect a participant will not finish training. We review claims like this on a case-by-case basis.

If I receive funding from the ETG, do I need to report these amounts for tax purposes?
Yes. The amount an employer receives from the ETG is taxable. You should consult your accountant or the Canada Revenue Agency for tax advice.

Participant Information Forms (PIF)

Why do employees need to fill in a Participant Information Form (PIF)?
We use this information to make sure that participants are eligible for the program.

In addition, our funding agreement with the Government of Canada (the Workforce Development Agreement, or WDA) needs this information. The Government of Canada uses it to find out how well its programs are working and who benefits from them.

Do all employees have to complete a Participant Information Form (PIF)?
Yes. All employees must submit their own PIF before an application can be submitted. No one else can submit a PIF for them.

What personal information is shared with the Government of Canada?
We are funded through the Workforce Development Agreement between the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada. As part of this Agreement, we must collect the following information:

• Name,
• Social Insurance Number (SIN),
• Address,
• Date of birth,
• Telephone number,
• Email address,
• Gender,
• Indigenous identity,
• Immigrant status,
• Immigration year,
• Visible minority status,
• Disability status,
• Marital status,
• Dependants,
• Official Language,
• Highest level of education,
• Employment status,
• Employment Insurance status (if applicable),
• Income Assistance status (if applicable),
• Program/training details,
• Name of training,
• Training start/end date,
• Training outcome,
• Credential/certificate earned,
• National Occupational Classification, and
• Increase in literacy and essential skills. 

How will the Government of Canada use my personal information?
The Government of Canada uses this information to send out surveys about 3 and 12 months after training is finished. The two surveys are mandatory. 

The Government of Canada also uses this information to monitor, assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the ETG. 

If you have other questions about the use of this information, please email us at ETG@gov.bc.ca.