Funding Snapshot

  • Non-repayable grants
  • Focused on supporting skills development and training centre upgrades in Ontario
  • Deadlines throughout the year

Fund Description

The Skills Development Fund (SDF) launched in February 2021 as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response initiative and has shifted focus to post-pandemic economic recovery. The SDF Training Stream supports solutions to stimulate economic growth in numerous sectors in Ontario’s economy as well as workforce development strategies to increase competitive advantage. The primary objectives are to support and develop a resilient workforce and encourage partnerships that support innovative ideas and training solutions. The Capital Stream supports increased training capacity for emerging and in-demand sectors in Ontario, as well as sectors experiencing labour market challenges. The Stream invests in upgrades of training centres, conversions of existing buildings into training centres, and the construction of new training centres.

Funding Details

Projects for the SDF Training Stream with budgets greater than $150,000 are prioritized, with no maximum or minimum funding amounts.

SDF Capital Stream recipients can receive up to 49% of eligible costs covered, and are required to contribute at least 30% of costs towards the project.

Eligible Expenditures

Eligible expenditures covered under the SDF Training Stream include:

  • Salaries and wages
  • Professional development
  • Marketing
  • Direct material costs and office supplies
  • Relevant maintenance and support
  • Mentorship and mental health
  • Audits
  • Employability services and supports
  • Job searches
  • Operational external printing costs
  • Pro-rated portion of real estate or utilities associated with the training
  • Legal/accounting fees
  • IT maintenance
  • New training equipment
  • Certain vehicle costs

Examples of projects include research and development of modernized skills development and innovative business models; production of new tools or software; solutions to barriers in skills training; and more.

Eligible expenditures covered under the SDF Capital Stream include:

  • Material costs
  • Building and site costs, including interior
  • Direct labour costs
  • Advancement of design drawings and planning post-application approval
  • Infrastructure, permit, and development fees (e.g., land surveys, inspections, etc.)
  • Marketing and promotional costs
  • Costs of engagement of Indigenous communities
  • Land or building acquisition costs
  • Certain professional fees
  • Relevant administrative costs

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Skills Development Fund Training Stream, applicants must:

  • Be a legal entity authorized to operate in Ontario
  • Have an establishment actively conducting business in Ontario
  • Maintain WSIB or private disability insurance coverage
  • Partner with, or be, a ministry-approved Training Delivery Agent

To qualify for the Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, applicants must:

  • Be a legal entity authorized to operate in Ontario
  • Have an establishment actively conducting business in Ontario
  • Have experience and organizational capacity to deliver the project
  • Have a primary applicant with ownership or a long-term leasehold agreement of the capital asset OR supporting documentation for land-building acquisition

Priority sectors include skilled trades and sectors experiencing labour market challenges.

Program Run

SDF was established in 2021 and has had several intakes since then.