June 3, 2020
Province Increasing Investment to $5.7 Million for Canada-Manitoba Job Grants in 2020-21
– – –Program Provides Essential Training Supports to Help Employers with Post-Pandemic Recovery: Eichler
The province is making an increased investment of $5.7 million in the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant program this year to better assist businesses with staff training costs as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.
“A skilled and trained workforce is always critical, and employers are telling us it is more important than ever as they face business challenges resulting from COVID-19. We have increased the budgeted amount for this program to assist with the recovery,” said Eichler. “Small and medium-sized businesses have been hit especially hard by the pandemic, and this program supports training that will help them recover, rebuild and adjust to new economic realities.”
The province’s $5.7-million investment for 2020-21 is an increase of $2 million from 2019-20. The program allows employers to apply for up to $10,000 for each of their employees, to a maximum grant of $100,000. Eligible costs include:
• tuition fees;
• textbooks, software and other required materials;
• exam fees; and
• travel costs for the training of individuals in northern and remote communities.
Applications are now available for Canada-Manitoba Job Grants for 2020-21. The application deadline is July 3.
“Many of Manitoba’s small businesses are adjusting their operations quickly as they look toward a post-pandemic reality,” said Jonathan Alward, Prairie region director, Canadian Federation of Independent Business. “This funding is a welcome tool to retrain staff and to help businesses adapt.”
“Manitoba’s business community has demonstrated incredible resilience amid COVID-19, an unprecedented challenge that has forced a shift away from the notion of business as usual and has required many businesses to pivot to remain operational,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. “Now, more than ever, our province’s employers need access to a skilled workforce, and this grant program can help them upgrade employees’ skills.”
Since mid-March, Manitoba Economic Development and Training has held stakeholder roundtables twice per week to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with more than 35 regional and strategic partners, sector councils, industry associations, economic development agencies and chambers of commerce.
Eichler noted that department staff are available to help companies complete grant applications, develop training plans to meet their business goals, and develop or improve their human resource plans.
More information and an updated application form for the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant program can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/wd/ites/is/cjg.html.
A comprehensive list of Manitoba government COVID-19 measures can be found at:
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