Wage Subsidy Program

Employment and Training Services will:

• use a one-to-one assessment process to help you decide whether on-the-job skills training is what you need.
• determine if you are eligible for the Wage Subsidy Program.
• help you to market your skills to potential employers.
• review training requests in relation to labour markets needs in Manitoba, current government priorities and the availability of funds.

Eligibility Criteria

You must be legally entitled to work in Canada and meet one of the following criteria:

unemployed and

• receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits or
• have had an EI claim that ended within the previous 36 months or
• have had a maternity or parental claim that started within the previous 60 months.
• job threatened and eligible for EI
• be in receipt of, or be eligible for, federal/provincial/municipal Income Assistance
• be a low-income parent with dependent child(ren)

Some exceptions apply, mainly for those who:

• started a position with an employer without prior wage subsidy approval from ETS
• are disqualified or disentitled for EI benefits, (unless the disentitlement is waived by Human Resources Development Canada)

Eligible Training

• on-the-job training with an employer to obtain direct work experience and develop job-specific skills
• minimum of 30 hours per week (overtime is not covered by the Wage Subsidy Program)

Eligible Employers

• private sector employers
• non-profit and community groups
• crown corporations (provided 50% or more of revenue comes from non-government sources)
• public health and education institutions, municipalities, bands and tribal councils
• wage subsidy placements must not displace existing staff

Summary

Length of Support

• generally 15 to 26 weeks
• depends on individual skill development needs, the job requirements identified by the employer and local labour market considerations.

Want to know more?

Contact your local Employment Centre to meet with a Service Needs Advisor to:

• obtain more details on this program
• determine if this program is right for you
• find out what you need to do to get started

Manitoba Contact(s):
Winnipeg Employment Centre
Manitoba Education Citizenship and Youth
391 York Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 0P4
Telephone: (204) 945-8341
E-mail: mgi@gov.mb.ca