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Grant Overview

Every community has unique labour market needs. The Community Workforce Response Grant (CWRG) supports a strong economy throughout B.C. by funding short-term skills training for local in-demand jobs. Organizations such as Indigenous and local governments, non-profit organizations, industry associations and unions can apply for up to $300,000 per project.

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.

Participants have found careers in high-demand fields such as health care, the trades and early childhood education. CWRG’s Stories that Inspire show how this funding is empowering individuals and strengthening communities throughout the province.

The Community Workforce Response Grant funds organizations to deliver projects that:

  • Address immediate workforce needs
  • Provide participants with job-ready skills
  • Lead directly to employment opportunities 

Program Priorities

The CWRG prioritizes the following types of projects:

  • Projects serving:
    • Indigenous communities;
    • Rural and remote communities; and/or
    • Communities impacted by tariffs, the recent loss of a major employer, natural disaster, or sudden, significant economic disruption.
       
  • Projects offering occupational skills training that addresses community-specific emerging priorities, economic diversification or innovation, or regional High Opportunity Occupations (HOO).
     
  • Projects supporting sectors identified as provincial priorities, including in Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada, such as:
    • Aerospace
    • Agriculture and food processing
    • AI quantum computing
    • Construction innovation
    • Education
    • Health care
    • Life sciences
    • Maritime
    • Mining
    • Social services
    • Tourism
    • Trades
       
  • Projects where a Community Transition Table has been established through provincial Community Transition Services. Eligible communities may submit applications at any time from March 27, 2026, to February 1, 2027, subject to funding availability. Please contact CWRG@gov.bc.ca before applying.
     

Program Highlights

For full program details and glossary, please review the Applicant Guide.

Who can apply?

  • Local non-profit organizations
  • Industry, sector and employer associations 
  • Municipal, district and regional governments 
  • Indigenous governments, Indigenous-owned or -directed non-profit service providers, and Indigenous economic development corporations
  • Union halls certified to represent employees under the B.C. Labour Relations Code, and union training colleges and associations
  • Major employers in single-resource communities
  • Public post-secondary institutions in rural and remote areas, under certain conditions (see Applicant Guide for further details)

Who can provide the training?

  • Applicants must engage qualified third-party service providers to deliver training, such as public post-secondary institutions, trade schools, industry/sector associations, or private training institutions. 
  • Priority will be given to applications engaging B.C. public post-secondary institutions as the training provider.

What funding is provided?

  • The CWRG covers 100 percent of all training costs up to $300,000 per project, including:
    • $11,000 per participant for skills training costs.
    • Participant financial supports based on the length of training.
    • Employment support services up to $400 per participant.
    • Administration fees to a maximum of 10 percent of total project costs (12 percent for Indigenous applicants).

Note: Some regulated training programs may exceed tuition or total project costs. These projects may still be eligible for CWRG funding. Please contact CWRG@gov.bc.ca before applying.

How do I apply?

When can I apply?

  • CWRG accepts applications during set intake and provides funding decisions within a set window.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

CWRG Process Summary

Icons showing steps to applying and receiving CWRG
  1. Identify occupational skills training needs
    • Using local information and provincial data, identify a workforce skills shortage in your community or sector.
       
  2. Learn about the program
    • Refer to the Applicant Guide for complete details about the program and document requirements.
    • Contact CWRG at CWRG@gov.bc.ca if you have questions or need support.
       
  3. Ensure you have a Business BCeID
  4. Choose a third-party skills training provider
    • Applicants must engage a third-party service training provider, such as a public post-secondary institution, a private training institution or other provider, to deliver the proposed training. Note: Priority will be given to applications engaging B.C. public post-secondary institutions as the training provider.
    • The choice of a skills training provider should be based on their qualifications and the successful history of delivering such training, as well as value for money.
    • Obtain a quote from the third-party service provider and upload it at time of application submission.
       
  5. Prepare and submit application
  6. Application assessed
    • Your application will be assessed based on merit and how it addresses program priorities for each intake.
    • CWRG will contact you if additional information is needed.
       
  7. Decision announced
    • A decision will be communicated to you via email on the date noted in the Key Dates table.
    • Funding decisions are at the Ministry’s sole discretion.
    • Approval of applications is subject to funding availability.
       
  8. Review agreement requirements
    • Once approved, CWRG program staff will invite you to an orientation.
    • Recruit participants. Participants to submit Participant Information Forms online.
    • Begin training.
    • Submit claim (7–14 days after training starts).
    • Submit Completion Report (up to 90 days after training ends).
       
  9. Submit success stories
    • Encourage participants to submit a success story. Refer to Success Story Guide.
    • Agreement holders are encouraged to submit a story about their successful project.
    • Pictures and videos with signed waivers are welcome.
       

The Community Workforce Response Grant is one of many skills training programs funded through the Canada–British Columbia Workforce Development Agreement, the Labour Market Development Agreement and the Province of British Columbia.