Alberta Jobs Now Program opens for third intake

Rob Dombowsky
AMTA Industry Advisor, Human Resources & Labour

On June 3, 2022, the provincial government opened the third intake of the Alberta Jobs Now Program (AJNP). The intent of this program is to support Albertans, including those with disabilities, to gain the right skills to find and maintain employment through on the job or formal training. This is accomplished by providing a subsidy to employers for 25% of a new hires annual salary up to $25,000, whichever is less. This increases to 37.5% or $37,500 when hiring people with disabilities. [1]

Several aspects of the original program have changed in the third phase. Employers who hired eligible employees after Dec 17, 2021, but have not submitted an application, can apply during this intake period to cover those employees.

For detailed information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit alberta.ca/jobsnow.

Quick facts

• Changes to the Alberta Jobs Now program include: [2]

  • Opening the program to Alberta businesses and non-profits that have been incorporated or registered for less than a year.

  • While the focus is on hiring unemployed and underemployed Albertans, employers may fill available positions with employed Albertans if there is a business need.

  • Employers may apply for the grant for up to 10 qualified positions.

Case Study 1

Company X hired a new Health and Safety manager from a competitor’s company. He started the position on Jan 3, 2022. The employee has an annual salary of $75,000,. When the program opened, the employer applied for that position. The grant, if accepted, would provide $18,750 to the company to help cover the cost of training and employing an Albertan for this position.

Case Study 2

Company Y has a need for a part time warehouse worker, working 24 hours per week. They found John, a disabled worker who had ¾ of his left foot amputated in a motorcycle accident. He’s able to do the work and fit for duty. Under the first intake, the company could not apply for the AJNP for this position, as the hours did not qualify. With the changes to the rules, the company was able to apply for funding for a part time employee and also utilize the 37.5% allowance towards the annual earnings.

More information is available on the Alberta Jobs Now Website at alberta.ca/jobsnow. If you have any specific questions regarding the AJNP, contact Rob at AMTA (403) 214-3439.

[1] Alberta Jobs Now Program and Labour Market Update Webinar, Evans, M., Assistant Deputy Minister, Labour and Immigration, CPHR Alberta, 10 Nov 2021.

2 News Release: More opportunities to grow Alberta’s workforce, Gov Alberta, News, 9 Nov 2021.