On September 28, the Ontario government announced an investment of additional $83 million towards the Skills Development Fund. This brings the total investment to over $200 million.
The eligibility has been expanded and organizations eligible for funding include employment service and training providers, labour, community, business and industry organizations, municipalities, hospitals, Indigenous Band offices, Indigenous skills and employment training agreement holders, service system managers. This funding can also be used to cover a wider range of financial supports for trainees, including expenses for transit and child care.
Organizations applying for the second round of the Skills Development Fund can also receive funding to accommodate trainees and workers with disabilities. Employers can receive up to $5,000 per job placement if they support a trainee with a disability.
Funding applications for the second round are being accepted starting at 9:00 am today, for as long as funds are available or until the fiscal year ends on March 31, 2022. Interested organizations can apply through Transfer Payment Ontario.
Read more about this announcement here. Learn more about the Skills Development Fund here.