With the assistance of the Federal Government, the Alberta government has committed $370 million to help and encourage hiring by private companies and non-profits. Funding is available to help offset the cost of hiring and training Albertans in new or vacant roles.

The eligibility criteria for the first intake (January 1, 2021 – May 18, 2021) is narrower than the criteria for the second intake, and includes:

  • The company must be registered / incorporated for at least one year
  • The new hire must be unemployed / underemployed (i.e. the new hire cannot have left another full-time position)
  • The new hire must work at least 30 average hours / week
  • Must be a new hire to the employer, and information submitted to the program within 30 days of their hire.
  • A previous employee of the employer may be rehired provided they have not been working for the employer during the past 90 days.
  • Employers must have been hiring for new or vacant positions that last at least 52 weeks.
  • Contractors don’t count.
  • Applications could be made up to July 23, 2021

For the second intake (hires on or after May 19, 2021), there are new, widened eligibility criteria, here is summary of the changes:

  • Companies in all industries and business that are less than one year old can apply for funding.
  • Employers can hire up to 10 new hires under the regular program and may be approved for an additional 10 if they can demonstrate a ‘substantial need’.
  • The focus was on hiring unemployed or underemployed Albertans; however, the rules have recently loosened to allow for hiring ’employed’ Albertans if there is a business need.
  • The new hire must work at least 15 average hours / week
  • Employers have up to 90-days to recruit for ‘approved positions’.
  • Applications open November 10, 2021.

A third intake is expected at a later date.

From the Government of Alberta’s website:

Funding

Private sector businesses and non-profit organizations across all industries can apply for funding to reduce the costs of hiring and training Albertans. Additional funding is available for hiring persons with disabilities.

Employers can:

  • apply for a grant to offset salary or training costs, or both, equal to:
    • 25% of a new hire’s salary up to $25,000 per employee
    • 37.5% of the new hire’s salary up to $37,500 per employee with a disability
  • apply for up to 10 new hires for the second intake:
    • first intake: May 20 to July 23, 2021
    • second intake:  November 10 until funding is allocated.
    • third intake: to be announced at a later date
  • choose to have payments issued in 1 or 2 payments:
    • 1 payment: up to 100% of the grant after new hires have been employed for 52 weeks
    • 2 payments:
      • half of the eligible grant paid when the new hires have been employed for 3 months
      • the other half paid when the new hires have been employed for 52 weeks
      • New businesses and organizations established within 6 months prior to application will receive 25% of funding at 3 months and 75% at 52 weeks.

For more information, read the Alberta Jobs Now Program Application Guidelines.

Applications can be made through the Government’s website Alberta Jobs Now program | Alberta.ca.

If you would like to connect to discuss how this program could help your business, please reach out to us today.

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