Canada News
New grants for a rebounding economy
Alberta Jobs Now applications reopen tomorrow –helping employers hire new workers and boost their skills to meet the demands of a growing economy.
To help continue the overwhelming success of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, the Alberta Jobs Now program will open its third and final application intake on June 3. To address potential labour shortages, eligible employers can hire and train up to 10 new full-time or part-time workers. Grants would cover 25 percent of an employee’s annual salary up to a maximum of $25,000 per employee. About $90 million in total funding is available.
To further support Albertans who have faced longer-term unemployment, employers can receive up to
$37,500 to support the new position if it is filled by someone who’s been out of work for at least 27 consecutive weeks. Employers who hire a person with a disability are eligible for the same higher-value grant, regardless of how long the person has been unemployed.
As of May of this year, more than 12,600 Albertans are working in positions approved under Alberta Jobs Now – which began amid pandemic challenges last year, with a focus on getting Albertans back to work, and has evolved to address the current labour shortage. The top types of jobs being hired through the program include food and beverage servers, cooks, retail salespeople, administrative officers and transport truck drivers.
Supporting Alberta’s Recovery
Alberta Jobs Now is a key component of Alberta’s Recovery Plan to create jobs and diversify the economy by strengthening the workforce with skills training and employment grants.
To be eligible for the program, private sector businesses or non-profit organizations must use the funding to hire Albertans in a new or vacant position. The new hire must reside and work in Alberta and must not have worked for the employer within the previous 90 days.
Quick facts
- Employers will be able to apply to the third intake of Alberta Jobs now at ca/jobsnow as of 9 a.m. on June 3.
- Employers who have hired eligible employees on or after December 17, 2021, the closure date of the previous intake, can apply.
- Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are allocated.
- The grant can be used to cover salary or training costs.
- As of May 2022, the top five industries applying to the program include:
o accommodation and food services sector – 21.12 percent o professional, scientific and technical services – 11.19 percent o construction- 9.46 percent o retail trade – 7.47 percent o manufacturing – 6.94 percent