Canada-Alberta Job Grants and You
Don't overlook this important grant when it’s time to train!
Background
Did you know up to two-thirds of certain Albertan employee training costs can be covered through the Canada-Alberta Job Grant? The Grant can be used to offset the costs of Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) for Class 1 and 2 licenses, AMTA’s Certified Transportation Safety Professional (CTSP) designations, or many of AMTA’s training programs. [RD1]
The Canada-Alberta Job Grant represents a significant resource for employers – up to $10,000 per trainee ($15,000 if hiring and unemployed Albertan) per fiscal year and up to $300,000 per individual employer per fiscal year. In brief, an employer applies for funding on behalf of their employee and, if approved, up to two-thirds (67%) of the training costs are covered by the Government [1]. The official Applicant Guide for the Grant fully explains how the Grant works and how to apply [2].
This bulletin will provide an overview of the Grant’s criteria. AMTA encourages companies to investigate the funding, since training is a critical component for the development of competency in workers [3], in addition to showing staff that their professional development is a priority for the organisation.
Eligibility
While the Canada-Alberta Job Grant represents a significant opportunity for employers to access training for their staff, it is not without its rules. The following subsections will explain the eligibility requirements for the program; for more details, check out the Government of Alberta’s website [1].
Employer Eligibility
The following employers are eligible for the Job Grant:
· private sector employers, including sole proprietors and partnerships.
· non-profit sector employers
· First Nations and Metis Settlements
· the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (if in a community with a population of 100,000 or less)
· Alberta Treasury Branches (if in a community with a population of 100,000 or less) [1]
To be eligible, Alberta employers must have current or potential employees who need training to fill current or future positions.
Employee Eligibility
Employees who meet the following criteria are able to benefit from the Grant:
· Canadian citizens
· Permanent residents
· Protected people under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) who are entitled to work in Canada.
· Business owners (incorporated, unincorporated, sole-proprietor, partnerships) with 4 or fewer employees, including all owners, are now eligible trainees.
· family members employed with the applicant company for more than 3 months.
Eligible trainees must live in Alberta [1]
Ineligibility
Not all individual trainees are able to benefit from the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. Company owners of organizations with more than four employees, family members who are not current employees, and those temporarily working in Canada (including Temporary Foreign Workers) are not eligible for the Grant [1].
Training Providers
Employers are responsible for finding appropriate training providers and programs. Training providers must be third-party trainers separate and distinct from the employer. The employer may not act as the training provider and the training provider may not employ the individual it is training. Training must be a main business activity of the training provider [1].
Training Criteria
Employers must identify suitable training providers and programs for their staff, and these training providers must be entities that are “separate and distinct” from the employer [1].
Once the need for training and potential programs have been identified, the training program should be checked against the following list of criteria to make sure it is eligible for the Grant (this list is taken directly from the Province’s website):
· Total 21 instructional hours or longer per trainee per application
· Start within six months after receiving Canada-Alberta Job Grant approval.
· Be completed within 52 weeks of the training courses start date.
· Result in some credential (record of completion, certification, grade, and so on)
· Training may be delivered on a full or part-time basis, and may be any combination of online, on-site or in a classroom setting [1]
Eligible Training Costs
The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is comprehensive in its coverage of direct training costs. The funding may be applied to tuition, mandatory student fees, and other costs related to the training like textbooks and software. Travel costs may even be eligible for coverage [1].
Application and Reimbursement Process
The Canada-Alberta Job Grant rules for application and reimbursement can be read in detail in the Applicant’s Guide[2].
For applying for the Grant, the employer should first read the above Applicant’s Guide for details on the process. The first step for the employer is to create a My Digital ID for Business profile. This account should be owned by a person designated by the company, usually in the HR or Accounting departments. Once done, the employer should apply for the grant at least 30 days prior to the start of training through the CAJG Portal. A single application can be used for all trainees taking the same program at the same time [1].
For seeking reimbursement, the employer must wait until the training is complete. Once the employee completes the training, the employer should submit a training completion form into the CAJG Portal within 30 days of training completion in order to obtain the funds that were previously approved. Employers may request two payments instead of one so that some interim funding is received [1].
Summary
Employee training is important for not only the growth of the worker but also for the entire organisation. Many workers may view an investment into their training as a benefit to their employment. The Canada-Alberta Job Grant provides employers with means to significantly offset their staff’s training costs, and AMTA recommends that those in the transportation industry analyse their operations to see where the Grant can play a role in staff development.
Need Help? Contact AMTA
AMTA can provide members with one-on-one guidance on the information provided in this bulletin. If you have any questions, please contact AMTA and our experienced staff will be happy to help. For your Safety, Compliance, and Human Resources questions, please email Member Services at memberservices@amta.ca or call 1-800-267-1003.
References
1 – “Canada-Alberta Job Grant”, Government of Alberta, accessed 4 April 2024, Canada-Alberta Job Grant | Alberta.ca
2 – “Canada-Alberta Job Grant Applicant Guide”, Government of Alberta, accessed April 4, 2024, Canada Alberta Job Grant: Applicant Guide - September 2024
3 – “Definitions ‘competent’”, Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, accessed April 4, 2024, Alberta King’s Printer