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Skip Navigation LinksImmigration Simcoe > Employer Resources > Programs & Services > Wage Incentive Programs

Wage Incentive Programs

​Employers may be eligible for financial incentives to offset some of the costs of providing on-the-job training and work experience. These programs are funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). Programs and eligibility criteria may vary. Employers must be licensed to operate in Ontario, meet all safety and employment standards, and will be assessed to ensure that they will offer specific skills training to new employees.

Employment Ontario Employment Services staff can help employers find out more about wage incentives. Employment Ontario Employment Services.

These programs are currently available through Employment Ontario:

Graduated Apprenticeship Grant for Employers

With the Graduated Apprenticeship Grant for Employers (GAGE) eligible companies could receive up to $16,700 to train an apprentice in more than 100 eligible trades. An additional bonus of up to $2,500 could be received if your apprentice is from an under represented group including newcomers.

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

The Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) provides direct financial support to individual employers or employer consortia who wish to purchase training for their employees. It is available to small, medium and large businesses with a plan to deliver short-term training to existing and new employees.

Hire a young person

This program is designed to help employers find skilled workers and to help young people (between 15 and 29 years old) gain skills and experience. To be eligible the candidate must be eligible to work in Canada, be unemployed, not be attending school full-time, and live in Ontario. Co-operative Education Tax Credit

The Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC) is a refundable tax credit available to employers who hire students enrolled in a recognized Ontario College or university co-operative education program.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers the program on behalf of Ontario through the federal income tax system.

An eligible employer may claim a refundable tax credit for each qualifying work placement ending in the taxation year. The CETC reimburses employers 25% of eligible expenditures. Smaller businesses are eligible for a higher credit rate of 30%. The maximum credit for each qualifying work placement is $3,000. Most work placements are for a minimum employment period of 10 weeks up to a maximum of four months.

Other resources and links for Employer Incentives:

Career Edge:

Career Edge is a not-for-profit, social enterprise online job posting board, and Canada's largest provider of paid internships. They help individuals launch their career, while supplying organizations with diverse, qualified talent.

To find out more about Hiring Incentives visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/hiring-incentives-employers