Comprehensive guide to 11 hiring & wages funding programs in Alberta
Businesses in Alberta can access 11 specialized hiring & wages programs combining federal and provincial funding opportunities.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $15,000
Helps small and medium-sized businesses adopt digital technologies to grow their businesses, compete in the global marketplace, and create jobs.
Organization: National Research Council Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $1 million
Provides advice, connections and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $25,000
Helps employers create quality work experiences for youth while addressing their human resource needs.
Organization: Government of Alberta
Level: provincial
Amount: Up to 20% tax credit (on eligible R&D)
Supports companies that create jobs in innovation-focused industries in Alberta through a tax credit on incremental R&D expenditures.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $500,000
Supported community-led projects that create jobs and economic opportunities in communities across Canada (program now closed).
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports skills development and employment training for Indigenous peoples through funding agreements with Indigenous service delivery organizations across Canada.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $7,000 per placement
Supports work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students by providing wage subsidies to employers who create co-op placements in STEM and business fields (e.g., through partner delivery organizations).
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to 100% wage subsidy (minimum wage)
Provides wage subsidies to help employers create summer job opportunities for youth (students) across Canada, particularly in not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers, and small businesses.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5 million
Supports training and skills development for jobs in the green economy and clean technology sectors, often through wage subsidies for youth in environmental roles (delivered via various partner organizations).
Organization: Government of Alberta
Level: provincial
Amount: Up to $5,000 per employee (or $10,000 for unemployed trainees)
Cost-sharing program that helps Alberta employers cover training costs for current and new employees to enhance productivity. Replaced the Canada-Alberta Job Grant in 2025.
Organization: Government of Alberta - Indigenous Relations
Level: provincial
Amount: $150,000 to $750,000
Provides grants to support capital costs for Indigenous community-owned economic development projects in Alberta, aiming to grow businesses and create employment.