The Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) is an Ontario provincial grant that pays up to $10,000 per employee for third-party skills training. For small employers (<100 employees), the government pays 5/6 of training costs (up to $10K per employee) and the employer contributes only 1/6. For large employers (>100 employees), the split is 1/2 employer, 1/2 government (up to $10K). A special stream for training newly-hired unemployed workers is 100% government-funded up to $15,000 per person with zero employer co-investment. Important: COJG was placed under ministerial review in November 2025. Verify current status before applying. When active, the program accepts rolling applications with no fixed annual deadlines and processes in 2–4 weeks.
COJG Current Status — What You Need to Know First
COJG was paused in November 2025 for ministerial review. As of March 2026, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has not announced a resumption date or program changes. The program portal (EOSS — Employment Ontario Service System) may still be accessible, but new applications submitted during a program pause may not be processed.
What to do: (1) Call 1-800-387-5656 to confirm current intake status. (2) Check ontario.ca/cojg for official updates. (3) If the program resumes, apply immediately — approvals are first-come, first-served and the program can reach capacity before year end. (4) Do not start training while waiting — COJG requires approval before training begins, regardless of whether a restart is imminent.
This guide documents COJG as it operated before the November 2025 pause. The program framework, eligibility criteria, and math will likely remain largely unchanged when it resumes.
COJG — Key Facts
!
Current Status
Paused — November 2025. Verify before applying.
$
Maximum Grant
$10,000 per employee (standard); $15,000 for unemployed worker hires
%
Government Share (Small Employer)
Up to 83% of training costs (<100 employees)
%
Government Share (Large Employer)
50% of training costs (100+ employees)
🏢
Eligible Employers
Private sector Ontario employers (NPOs eligible, government excluded)
🎓
Training Provider Rules
Must be independent third party — not self-delivery, not your software vendor
📅
Deadline for Application
BEFORE training starts — applications submitted after training begins are ineligible
⏱
Processing Time
2–4 weeks from submission to approval decision
👥
Max Participants per Application
25 employees per application submission
🏆
Competitiveness
Non-competitive — any eligible application is approved (capacity permitting)
The COJG Math
Most businesses underestimate how generous COJG is for small employers. The government pays 5/6. Here's the exact math.
The COJG Math — What You Actually Pay
Government pays 5/6 of costs for small employers (<100 employees). You pay 1/6. Maximum $10,000 government share per employee.
Small Employer (<100 employees)
1/6
Employer co-payment. Ontario pays 5/6 of training costs (max $10K per employee)
Large Employer (100+ employees)
1/2
Employer co-payment. Ontario pays 1/2 of training costs (max $10K per employee)
Unemployed Worker Hire Stream
0
Ontario pays 100% up to $15,000 per newly-hired unemployed worker. Zero employer cost.
$3,000 certification course — 1 employee, small employer (<100)
You pay: $500
Ontario pays: $2,500
$7,200 professional designation — 1 employee, small employer (<100)
You pay: $1,200
Ontario pays: $6,000
$12,000 training (large employer, 100+ employees)
You pay: $6,000
Ontario pays: $6,000 (cap reached at $12K total)
$15,000 training course — 1 employee, small employer (<100)
You pay: $5,000 (cap applies)
Ontario pays: $10,000 (maximum reached)
$9,000 training — newly hired unemployed worker (any employer size)
You pay: $0
Ontario pays: $9,000 (100% funded)
5 employees at $6,000 each — small employer (<100)
You pay: $5,000 total
Ontario pays: $25,000 total
The realistic COJG amount for small Ontario employers is $6,000–$8,500 per employee in the standard stream. The key constraint is the $10,000 government cap — training costing more than $12,000 per person means the employer pays the full overage. At typical certification and professional development pricing ($3,000–$9,000 per course), most employers stay well within the cap.
What COJG Covers — And What It Doesn't
The eligibility rules are stricter than the government page implies. Most rejection reasons trace back to misunderstanding these lines.
Eligible Training
COJG funds training that leads to a recognized credential, certificate, or verifiable skills outcome. The training must be delivered by an independent third-party provider — not the employer, not the employer's software vendor on their own product. Eligible training types include: professional certifications (P.Eng, CPA, PMP, Red Seal trades), software skills courses from accredited providers (not the software company itself), digital literacy certifications, first aid and safety certifications, technical trades upgrading, leadership and management programs from accredited colleges, and industry-specific technical training from licensed private trainers.
Ineligible Training — What the Government Page Underemphasizes
The government page lists eligible training but underemphasizes the exclusions that most commonly trip up applicants. COJG does NOT cover: (1) Mandatory legal training — any training the employer is required by law to provide (WHMIS, AODA compliance, basic health & safety) is explicitly excluded. (2) Conferences, workshops, and information sessions — one-time events are not "training" under COJG definitions. (3) MBA, CFA, and full-degree programs — comprehensive degree programs are excluded (individual credit courses at a college may qualify). (4) Consulting or coaching — paying a consultant to advise your team is not eligible training. (5) Training delivered by the employer themselves — COJG requires third-party delivery. (6) On-the-job training and mentoring. (7) Training on equipment the employer is also selling or providing as a service.
Eligible Employers
Eligible employers include Ontario private sector businesses, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous businesses operating in Ontario. Ineligible employers: Government of Canada federal employers, Ontario provincial government, municipalities, hospitals, schools and school boards, and post-secondary institutions. Private healthcare clinics and private schools CAN apply — it's public sector organizations that are excluded. There is no minimum revenue requirement and no minimum years in operation, but there must be a genuine employment relationship (sole proprietors with no employees and no formal payroll structure typically don't qualify).
Eligible Employees
Training participants must be Ontario residents and Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Work permit holders (temporary foreign workers, international students on post-graduation work permits) are generally ineligible. The employee does not need to be full-time — part-time employees qualify. However, employees currently receiving other government-funded training through programs like Better Jobs Ontario or Employment Services cannot receive COJG for the same training period.
Looking for training grants that are active now? Use the free quiz to see which Ontario and federal training programs are currently accepting applications.
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The COJG Approval Playbook
Applications are non-competitive — any eligible application is approved. The goal is to submit a clean application that passes eligibility review on first submission.
The COJG Approval Playbook
What separates approved applications from rejected ones is almost entirely procedural, not competitive. Get these right and approval is routine.
What Gets Applications Approved
✅
Application submitted well before training starts — 3–4 weeks buffer is ideal
✅
Training provider is a licensed Ontario college, university, or Career Colleges Act registered trainer
✅
Training leads to a verifiable credential (certificate, designation, Red Seal, etc.)
✅
Clear skills gap identified between employees' current abilities and job requirements
✅
Employer and training provider attestation forms complete and signed
✅
Ontario business registration confirmed, employees listed by name and role
✅
Training commitment letter from employer confirming ongoing employment post-training
What Gets Applications Rejected
❌
Applied after training already started or completed (automatic disqualification)
❌
Training provider is ineligible (self-delivery, software vendor on own product, unlicensed private trainer)
❌
Employee is receiving other government-funded training concurrently
❌
Training type is ineligible (mandatory WHMIS, conferences, coaching, full-degree programs)
❌
Employer is a publicly funded organization (government body, hospital, school board)
❌
Conflict of interest between employer and training provider not disclosed
❌
Missing or incomplete attestation forms from employer or provider
8 Reasons COJG Applications Get Rejected
These are the specific rejection reasons documented from COJG processing data. Most are entirely avoidable.
The most common rejection reason — and an automatic disqualification with no recourse. The application date must be before the training start date. This is not a grey area. Even applying on the day training starts is too late. Many employers don't realize this until after they've already paid the training provider. Solution: apply as soon as you've confirmed the training provider and dates, 3–4 weeks before training begins.
The second most common rejection. Ineligible provider situations: (a) the employer is training their own staff using internal trainers — COJG requires genuine third-party delivery; (b) the training is provided by a software vendor on their own product — e.g., Salesforce teaching your staff how to use Salesforce; (c) the provider is a private trainer not registered under Ontario's Career Colleges Act 2005. Always ask the training provider to confirm their COJG eligibility and registration number before submitting. Ontario colleges (George Brown, Seneca, etc.) and publicly-funded universities are automatically eligible.
An employee cannot participate in COJG if they are simultaneously receiving government-funded training through another Ontario employment program (Better Jobs Ontario, Employment Services, Second Career). This restriction is per training period — once the other program ends, the employee is eligible for COJG. Check with each employee to confirm they're not currently enrolled in another government training program.
Ineligible training types include: mandatory legal training (WHMIS, workplace safety law compliance), conferences and workshops (one-time events without curriculum or credential outcome), consulting or business coaching sessions, full-degree programs (MBA, CPA university degree — though CPA prep courses at a college can qualify), and language or literacy training that isn't vocationally focused. The test: does the training result in a verifiable credential or documented skills outcome that is directly job-related and delivered by an independent third party?
Government of Ontario ministries, Ontario-funded hospitals, school boards, public post-secondary institutions, and Crown corporations are ineligible. Private hospitals and private schools are eligible. Municipal governments are ineligible. Non-profits funded by government are eligible as long as they're not a government body themselves (e.g., a community health centre that receives provincial funding but is operated as a non-profit is typically eligible; a Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is not).
COJG requires disclosure of any relationship between the employer and the training provider. This includes family relationships, shared ownership, or a business arrangement beyond the training contract. Failure to disclose (not the conflict itself, but the non-disclosure) is grounds for rejection and can result in repayment obligations if discovered after payment. If your training provider is a related party, disclose it proactively in the application — the program can still approve with disclosed conflicts in some cases.
The COJG application requires: (1) Employer Application Form, (2) Employer Attestation Form, (3) Training Provider Attestation Form, and (4) Training Provider Information Sheet. A missing signature on the Training Provider Attestation or an incomplete provider information sheet will hold up or reject the application. Solution: contact your training provider as soon as you decide to apply — they must complete their forms before you can submit. Budget 1–2 weeks for the provider form process.
COJG was paused in November 2025 and has had periods of budget exhaustion in previous years (typically Q3-Q4 of the Ontario fiscal year, which runs April-March). Applications submitted during a formal pause receive a "program is not accepting applications" notice. Applications submitted when annual budget is depleted may be queued to the following fiscal year. The solution: verify program status before investing time in an application, and apply early in the Ontario fiscal year (May–August) when budget capacity is highest.
Who Gets Approved for COJG
The typical COJG approval profile — what the program is designed for and who gets the most value from it.
The ideal COJG applicant is a small Ontario private-sector employer with fewer than 100 employees who has identified a skills gap in their workforce and a specific credential-granting training solution from an accredited third-party provider. The sectors with the highest approval and utilization rates are manufacturing, construction, healthcare services, trades and technical services, and professional services (accounting, engineering, law). Technology companies using COJG typically apply for digital skills certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, PMP) through accredited online providers or college certificate programs — not vendor training on their own software.
The highest-value COJG use cases: (1) Red Seal trade certification for apprentices — trades certifications cost $4,000–$8,000 and are 5/6 funded for small employers; (2) Professional designations (CPA, P.Eng, PMP) — these run $3,000–$7,000 per candidate and are straightforward COJG applications; (3) Digital skills certifications (cloud, cybersecurity, data) from colleges or accredited online providers; (4) Forklift/equipment operator certifications; (5) First aid and emergency response certifications from licensed providers (note: basic WHMIS is excluded — more advanced first aid and emergency response from licensed providers is eligible).
The greatest COJG value is unlocked by training newly-hired unemployed workers — the 100%-funded stream (up to $15,000 per person) effectively means Ontario covers the full training cost when you hire someone who was previously unemployed. A 5-person hire cohort each requiring $8,000 in skills training = $40,000 in COJG funding with zero employer co-payment. This stream has the highest value-per-application of any Ontario training program.
Required Documents — Complete Checklist
What you need before you can submit. Gather these in parallel — don't wait for one to start collecting the next.
COJG Application Document Checklist
✓
Completed COJG Employer Application (online EOSS portal)
Tip: Create your EOSS account at eoss.gov.on.ca before you need it — account verification can take a few days.
✓
Employer Attestation Form (signed by authorized employer representative)
Tip: The authorized representative must have signing authority for the organization. Owner, CEO, or Director level.
✓
Training Provider Attestation Form (completed and signed by the provider)
Tip: This is often the slowest document to collect. Contact your provider as soon as you decide to apply — give them 7–14 days to complete it.
✓
COJG Employer and Training Provider Information Sheet
Tip: Available on the Employment Ontario website. Fill out the version matching the training stream you're applying for (standard or unemployed worker).
✓
Detailed training plan / course description from provider
Tip: Must include: course name, duration (hours and dates), learning objectives, credential/certificate to be awarded, provider registration details.
✓
Proof of Ontario business registration or business license
Tip: Ontario Business Registry certificate works. For corporations, your Certificate of Incorporation from the Ontario Ministry of Government Services.
✓
List of employees to be trained (name, role/job title, and Ontario residency confirmation)
Tip: Per-employee information — include their start date with the company. For the unemployed worker stream, include confirmation they were receiving Employment Insurance or Ontario Works within the last 12 months.
✓
Quote or invoice from the eligible training provider
Tip: Must show cost per participant. If multiple employees, show per-person cost breakdown. Total invoice for a group is insufficient — reviewers need per-head pricing to confirm grant calculations.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for COJG
The COJG application has 7 stages. The most critical: never start training before approval.
Step 1: Confirm COJG Is Currently Accepting Applications
Before investing time in application preparation, confirm the program is active. Call 1-800-387-5656 or check ontario.ca/cojg. As of Q1 2026, the program is under review — this step is essential.
Step 2: Confirm Your Training Provider's Eligibility
Ask the training provider directly: "Are you a registered Career Colleges Act 2005 provider and do you accept COJG-funded training?" For Ontario colleges and universities, ask: "Does your continuing education division accept COJG funding?" Get written confirmation — this protects you if there's a dispute at review. Private trainers should be able to provide their Career Colleges Act registration number.
Step 3: Get a Formal Training Quote
Request a formal written quote that includes: course name and description, training dates (start and end), hours of instruction, cost per participant (broken out from any group package pricing), credential or certificate to be issued, and the provider's contact information and registration details. This quote is part of your application package.
Step 4: Initiate the Training Provider's Attestation Process
Download the Training Provider Attestation Form from ontario.ca/cojg and send it to your provider. The provider must complete and sign this independently — you cannot complete it on their behalf. Give them 7–14 days. This is typically the longest wait in the application process. Don't finalize your application until this is complete.
Step 5: Submit via EOSS — At Least 3 Weeks Before Training Starts
Log into eoss.gov.on.ca and submit the Employer Application with all supporting documents. The 2–4 week processing time means you need to submit at minimum 3 weeks before training starts, and 4–5 weeks is safer. Review generally takes 10–20 business days. You will receive an approval or rejection notice via the EOSS portal.
Step 6: Receive Approval and Begin Training
Do not begin training until you have your approval letter in hand. Once approved, training must start within a reasonable timeframe of the approval date (typically within 30 days of the approved start date). Training must be completed within 12 months of approval. If your training dates change significantly, contact your Service Provider to update the record — running training outside the approved dates can create reimbursement issues.
Step 7: Submit Reimbursement Documentation
After training is completed, submit through EOSS: (1) Training completion certificate for each participant, (2) Invoices from the training provider, (3) Proof of payment (bank statement, credit card statement, or receipt), (4) Employer sign-off confirming training completed as described. Payment from the government is typically disbursed within 4–6 weeks of the complete reimbursement submission.
COJG paused. Our quiz shows you which Ontario and federal training programs are currently active and match your business profile.
Find Active Programs →
Three Businesses Using COJG — Real-World Math
How three different Ontario employers would use COJG when intake resumes. Dollar math included.
Ahmed has 4 technicians who hold G2 licenses and need to upgrade to G1 to handle commercial projects. The training is delivered by a licensed Ontario technical training institute — a registered Career Colleges Act provider. Each certification course costs $2,800. With 32 employees (under 100), Ahmed qualifies for the small employer stream: 5/6 government, 1/6 employer. Per employee: government pays $2,333; Ahmed pays $467. For 4 employees: government pays $9,333 total; Ahmed pays $1,867. The application is straightforward — trades certifications are one of the clearest COJG use cases. Ahmed applies 4 weeks before the certification program begins, collects the Training Provider Attestation Form from the institute, and submits through EOSS. Approval typically takes 2–3 weeks for standard trades applications. Total COJG funding: $9,333. Ahmed's cost: $1,867 to certify 4 technicians who can now bill at higher rates for commercial projects.
COJG grant: $9,333 for 4 G1 certifications. Ahmed pays $1,867. Return on investment: technicians qualifying for commercial projects adds estimated $80K–$120K/year in additional billings. COJG payback period: less than 1 week of incremental revenue.
Priya's developers need AWS certification to qualify for a major enterprise contract that requires certified cloud expertise. She's sourced training from an accredited IT training firm that offers COJG-approved courses — critically, this is NOT Amazon directly teaching AWS (which would be an ineligible vendor-delivered course), but an independent provider with Career Colleges Act registration delivering AWS curriculum under their own program. With 18 employees, Priya qualifies for the small employer stream: 5/6 government, 1/6 employer. Per employee: $4,200 course cost → government pays $3,500; Priya pays $700. For 3 developers: government pays $10,500 total; Priya pays $2,100. One catch: the $10,000 per-employee cap means the third employee's $3,500 is slightly over the per-employee maximum — actually $3,500 is under $10,000, so the full 5/6 applies. If the course were $13,200 instead, the cap would kick in and she'd pay ($13,200 × 1/6) but the government would cap at $10,000, meaning Priya pays $3,200 per employee. At $4,200, all three are well within the cap. Total COJG: $10,500 for 3 AWS certifications.
COJG grant: $10,500 for 3 AWS certifications. Priya pays $2,100. Certification unlocks enterprise contract estimated at $340K annually. Priya's COJG application is cleanest when the training provider is clearly independent — she avoids using Amazon's own APN training portal and instead uses a third-party accredited trainer.
Maria's two new hires were previously receiving Employment Insurance — they qualify for the unemployed worker stream of COJG, which covers 100% of training costs up to $15,000 per person. The certification course at the local college's continuing education division (an automatically eligible provider) costs $7,500 per person. Under the unemployed worker stream: government pays 100% = $7,500 per person. Maria pays zero. For 2 assistants: government pays $15,000 total; Maria pays nothing. The application is straightforward for the unemployed worker stream — Maria must confirm each employee's EI or Ontario Works status within the last 12 months (typically confirmed via ROE or benefit statement). The college's continuing education office is familiar with COJG and has completed the Training Provider Attestation process hundreds of times. Maria submits 4 weeks before the certification program begins. Approval in 2–3 weeks. The $15,000 in training cost is entirely government-funded. Maria's only cost: the employees' wages during training days (which is her normal labour cost anyway).
COJG grant: $15,000 for 2 PSW certifications (unemployed worker stream). Maria pays $0. The unemployed worker stream is COJG's highest-value offering — zero employer co-investment, up to $15,000 per hire. Most employers don't know this stream exists.
The CJG Provincial Variants — How COJG Compares Across Canada
The Canada Job Grant (CJG) is a federal-provincial partnership — the federal government sets the framework, each province implements differently. COJG is the Ontario variant, and it's the most generous for small employers.
The federal Canada Job Grant framework requires the government to pay at least 1/3 of training costs (minimum federal share). Provinces can be more generous with their contributions. Ontario's COJG is notable for its small employer structure (5/6 government share) and the unemployed worker stream (100% funded).
← Scroll to see all columns →
| Province |
Program Name |
Max per Employee |
Govt Share (Small Employer) |
Unemployed Worker Stream |
Status (Mar 2026) |
| Ontario |
COJG |
$10,000 ($15K unemployed) |
5/6 (83%) |
Yes — 100% funded up to $15K |
Paused |
| Manitoba |
Canada-Manitoba Job Grant |
$10,000 |
75% (<100 employees) |
Yes — check current terms |
Active |
| British Columbia |
BC Employer Training Grant |
$10,000 |
80% |
Priority for unemployed |
Active |
| Saskatchewan |
Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant |
$10,000 |
2/3 (67%) |
Limited |
Closed |
| Alberta |
Canada-Alberta Job Grant |
$10,000 |
2/3 (67%) |
Yes — 100% for unemployed |
Verify status |
| Nova Scotia |
Canada-Nova Scotia Job Grant |
$10,000 |
2/3 (67%) |
Yes |
Verify status |
| New Brunswick |
Canada-New Brunswick Job Grant |
$10,000 |
2/3 (67%) |
Limited |
Verify status |
| Newfoundland |
Canada-NL Job Grant |
$10,000 |
2/3 (67%) |
Yes |
Verify status |
| COJG Advantage |
COJG's 5/6 government share for small employers (vs. standard 2/3) makes it the most generous provincial variant in Canada. The unemployed worker stream (100% funded up to $15K) is also above the federal minimum. When COJG resumes, it remains Canada's top training grant for Ontario SMEs. |
Stacking COJG with Other Programs
COJG can be combined with other programs for maximum training funding value.
COJG + Skills Development Fund (SDF): The SDF supports larger workforce transformation projects — entire industry or employer training redesign. COJG and SDF can run together as long as the cost categories don't overlap (SDF for program design and coordination; COJG for individual employee training delivery costs). For employers doing a major upskilling initiative across 20+ employees, this combination is worth exploring.
COJG + Canada Training Credit (CTC): The federal Canada Training Credit gives employees a personal $250/year training fund (lifetime maximum $5,000). This is a personal employee benefit, not an employer benefit — it doesn't reduce the employer's co-payment under COJG. The employee can use their CTC to cover part of their own expenses, while the employer claims COJG. These programs operate on different tracks and don't conflict.
COJG + Apprenticeship Completion Grant: For employees in apprenticeable trades, COJG can fund the training while the federal Apprenticeship Completion Grant ($2,000) provides a bonus upon certification completion. These are not in conflict — they cover different cost categories and timing. An employer funding a Red Seal certification via COJG should ensure the employee is aware of their Apprenticeship Completion Grant entitlement separately.
COJG + IRAP: If training is linked to an active IRAP project (e.g., training staff on new R&D methodologies as part of an approved IRAP project), the training costs may qualify under IRAP's "other eligible costs" category. This requires explicit confirmation from the ITA. COJG and IRAP cannot cover the same training invoice — the costs must be distinct.
Looking for active programs while COJG is paused?
Canada Job Grants vary by province — some are active right now.
Our free 2-minute quiz identifies which training grants, employer incentives, and other funding programs are currently accepting applications for your business profile.
Find Active Grants for My Business →
Frequently Asked Questions About COJG
Is the Canada-Ontario Job Grant currently available?
+
COJG was placed under ministerial review in November 2025. As of March 2026, the program status is uncertain. Before preparing an application, call 1-800-387-5656 or check ontario.ca/cojg for the current intake status. Do not start training in anticipation of COJG approval until the program has confirmed it is accepting applications.
How much does COJG pay — and what do I actually have to contribute?
+
For small employers (<100 employees): The government pays 5/6 of training costs, up to $10,000 per employee. You pay 1/6. Example: $6,000 course → you pay $1,000, Ontario pays $5,000. For large employers (100+ employees): Government pays 1/2, you pay 1/2, maximum $10,000 government contribution. For newly-hired unemployed workers: Ontario pays 100%, up to $15,000 per employee. You pay nothing.
Can I use COJG for online courses?
+
Yes, if the online course is delivered by an eligible third-party provider. The training must lead to a credential or certificate. A structured online course from an accredited college (George Brown Online, Ryerson Continuing Education, etc.) qualifies. Self-paced "courses" with no instructor and no formal credential (e.g., basic LinkedIn Learning courses) typically do not qualify. Online courses from major certification bodies (Microsoft, AWS, Cisco) qualify only if delivered through an independent licensed trainer — not through the vendor's own direct portal.
What is the maximum COJG grant per employer per year?
+
There is no stated annual cap per employer under standard COJG terms — the limit is 25 participants per application and $10,000 per employee per training event. Employers can submit multiple COJG applications per year for different training cohorts, as long as each application meets eligibility criteria. In practice, budget exhaustion limits late-year applications. Large employers doing extensive training programs should contact the Service Provider to understand any program-level thresholds.
Can I use COJG if my employee is a temporary foreign worker?
+
No. Temporary foreign workers, international students on study or work permits, and non-permanent residents are generally ineligible as COJG training participants. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible. Open work permit holders (not linked to a specific employer — e.g., PGWP, Bridging OWP) may be eligible in some circumstances — confirm with the Employment Ontario service provider before submitting.
Can I apply for COJG for an employee who is currently in other government-funded training?
+
No — an employee currently receiving funded training through Better Jobs Ontario, Employment Services, or another Ontario employment program cannot simultaneously receive COJG for the same period. Once that other program ends, the employee is eligible for COJG in the future. Employees can participate in multiple COJG applications over time (different training events).
Does the employer keep the COJG grant if the employee quits after training?
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COJG does not include mandatory retention requirements — there is no formal clawback if an employee leaves after completing training. However, employers are required to attest to good faith intent to retain employees post-training. Using COJG as a pure training subsidy with no genuine intent to retain the employee would be considered misuse of the program. Practically: if an employee leaves 6 months after completing COJG-funded training for unrelated reasons, this is not a problem. If the employer's explicit strategy is to train staff and immediately let them go, this is not the intended use.
My training provider is not on any "approved" list. Can I still use them?
+
COJG does not have a pre-approved provider list in the same way CDAP had a marketplace. The eligibility test is: (1) Is the provider independent from your business? (2) Is the provider licensed under the Ontario Career Colleges Act 2005 (for private trainers)? (3) Does the training lead to a verifiable credential? Ontario colleges and universities are automatically eligible. Private trainers must be registered under the Career Colleges Act. Ask the provider to confirm their registration and be able to provide the registration number.
Can I use COJG for owner-operators who own more than 50% of the business?
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Owner-operators who own 50%+ of the business are typically ineligible as training participants. This exclusion targets pure owner-training with no employment relationship. Minority owners and employees without significant ownership stakes are eligible. For family businesses, this can be a limitation — consult with an Employment Ontario service provider about your specific ownership structure.
Sources & References
1. Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development — COJG Program Guide. ontario.ca/cojg
2. Employment Ontario Service System (EOSS) Employer Application Portal. eoss.gov.on.ca
3. Ontario Career Colleges Act 2005 — Registered Private Trainers Registry.
4. Canada Job Grant Federal-Provincial Framework — Employment and Social Development Canada. canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/canada-job-grant
5. B.C. Employer Training Grant — Province of British Columbia. workbc.ca/get-funding-and-support/etg
6. Canada-Manitoba Job Grant — Manitoba Government.
7. GrantCompass COJG Program Data — enrichment research, 2025. Internal program census.
8. Auditor General of Ontario — 2023 Annual Report, Employment and Training Programs Chapter.
9. COJG Program Pause Notice — Ontario Ministry of Labour, November 2025.