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Employer Services
KEYS offers a variety of employment-related training and incentives to support local employers’ human resources efforts.
Training Funds
Training funds are available to support a business to train its workforce. Up to $10,000 in funding is available per trainee. Up to $15000 if the trainee is also a new hire.
Contact Dana Betournay or Gillian Watters at KEYS for more information.
Are you a small or medium-sized business in need of apprentices to help build your future workforce? The Canadian Apprenticeship Service is offering up to $20,000* in help right now. In addition to the financial incentives, you’ll also receive:
• free access to employer-apprentice matching services;
• free access to mentorship programs; and
• free access to diversity and inclusion training.
Funding for Hiring Recent Graduates & Youth
The Queen’s Career Apprenticeship: Kingston connects new graduates from the arts, humanities and social science disciplines within the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s University with a Kingston employer. Employers who find the right fit through the program and commit to a 12-month contract, are reimbursed for 4 months of the gross salary to a maximum of $4,000 per month.
Contact Rob Tamblyn at Kingston Economic Development Corporation for more information.
Advanced Digital and Professionals Training (ADaPT) program, a new initiative aimed at supporting black youth in developing skills they need and securing work opportunities. Learn more!
Unemployed or underemployed recent Post-Secondary graduates. Funding of $7,200 – $10,000 is available to employers if specific training is required.
Contact Nancy McGarvie at KEYS for more information.
Employers hiring youth 30 and under can receive up to $62,000 in funding to cover costs of on-the-job training.
Contact Nancy McGarvie at KEYS for more information.
The Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) is an initiative of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce designed to help employers located anywhere in Canada hire college and university students on WIL placements. Employers hiring eligible students may receive a wage subsidy up to 50% of the wages (to a maximum of $5,000) for each ‘net new’ placement or 70% of the wages (to a maximum of $7,000) for each ‘net new’ placement for the following under-represented groups: Indigenous people, person with disabilities, newcomer to Canada, first year student, visible minority and/or women in STEM.
Learn more by visiting the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s website.
The Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) will contribute approximately $13 million to projects that employ youth and youth facing barriers in the agricultural sector. Each project will be eligible to receive up to $14,000 in matching funds to employ one (1) employee.
Support for Hiring International Students & Graduates
Career bridging support for international students & graduates. No wage incentives, but assistance to match employers with this global talent pool.
Contact Sonia Verjovsky at KEYS for more details.
The OINP recognizes and nominates people for permanent residence who have the skills and experience the Ontario economy needs, and the Government of Canada makes the final decision to approve applications for permanent residence.
Recruitment & Retention Support
Recruitment support, job postings, job fairs, matching. Placement incentives of $2,000 – $4,000 are available based on the skills of the candidate and the skill requirement of the job.
Contact Matt Snell or Jeff Kennedy at KEYS for more information.
Intensive job search/job development support to the spouses of new or potential hires. By supporting spouses to find employment, the employer is more likely to recruit/retain the talent they require.
Contact Chris Lambert or Gillian Watters at KEYS for more information.
