Sustainable Jobs Training Fund (SJTF)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
The Sustainable Jobs Training Fund provides $8M–$15M per project to organizations delivering large-scale training initiatives that help Canadian workers develop skills for the low-carbon economy. With $99.1M allocated from 2024–2028, the fund supports training in three priority areas: low-carbon energy and carbon management, green buildings and retrofits, and electric vehicle maintenance and charging infrastructure. Projects must include curriculum development, certification pathways, and industry employer partnerships.
Eligibility Requirements
- Not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Indigenous organizations (band councils, tribal councils, self-government entities)
- Provincial or territorial governments
- Must have demonstrated experience within the last 3 years delivering workforce development or training programs
- Must have in-depth knowledge of skills development in at least one priority area: low-carbon energy, green buildings, or EV maintenance
- Training must lead to recognized certifications or clear career pathways
- Applicants must be legal entities capable of entering binding agreements
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $8,000,000–$15,000,000
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Between intakes — initial call closed, future rounds TBD
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThe project minimum of $8M means this is not for small organizations. Successful applicants in the 2024 round were large national industry associations and established training bodies. If you're a smaller organization, consider partnering with a national body as a project delivery partner rather than lead applicant. The EV maintenance stream had fewer applicants in 2024 and may have lower competition in future rounds.
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Success Profile
A national trades association representing the HVAC/building retrofits sector, proposing to train 5,000 workers in heat pump installation and energy auditing across 5 provinces, leading to Red Seal or equivalent certifications, with 50 employer partners signed on.
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Evaluation Criteria
Projects assessed on: (1) geographic coverage across Canada, (2) maximizing number of participants trained, (3) participation of Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups, (4) bilingual training offerings, (5) demonstrated experience delivering workforce development programs within the last 3 years, (6) in-depth knowledge of at least one priority area (low-carbon energy, green buildings, EV maintenance), (7) training leading to recognized certifications or career pathways, (8) strength of employer partnerships demonstrating labour market demand, (9) scalability of existing successful training initiatives.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 8
Eligible Expenses 8
- Participant wage subsidies, training stipends, completion bonuses, and other training incentives
- Curriculum development costs and training tool creation
- Training delivery costs (in-person and virtual)
- Salaries and benefits for project staff directly delivering training
- Research and evaluation costs, data collection and analysis
- Capital assets over $1,000 with disposal plan (training equipment, simulation tools)
- Travel costs for training delivery across regions
- Administrative and overhead costs (with restrictions)
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Costs incurred before ESDC project approval and contribution agreement signing
- Unrestricted overhead costs for central administrative functions (utilities, IT maintenance, head office support — may be partially eligible with restrictions)
- Costs not directly related to approved project activities
- General organizational operating expenses unrelated to the training project
- Lobbying or advocacy activities
Intake Periods
First call for proposals: March 8 to May 15, 2024. 8 agreements announced February 2025. Projects run 2025-2028 (up to March 31, 2030). Program budget is $99.1M over 2024-2028. Future intake rounds possible if budget remains, though the first round allocated the majority of funding.
Deadline Notes
Initial call for proposals closed May 15, 2024 with agreements starting Winter 2024–2025. Monitor canada.ca for future intake rounds as the program runs to 2028.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Organizations without at least 3 years of demonstrated workforce development or training program delivery experience
- Individuals (must be a legal entity)
- Organizations proposing training outside the three priority areas (low-carbon energy, green buildings, EV maintenance)
- Organizations unable to provide 10% co-funding
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How SJTF Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Jobs Training Fund (SJTF) | $8,000,000–$15,000,000 | Hard | Reimbursement | Between intakes —... |
| Union Training and Innovation Program | Up to $2 million | Moderate | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| Indigenous Skills and Employment Trai... | Varies | Moderate | Not Applicable | Ongoing |
| Investments in Forest Industry Transf... | Up to $10 million | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Periodic Calls for... |
| Yukon Economic Development Fund (EDF) | up to $30,000 | Moderate | Milestone-Based | Tier 1: Rolling; Tier 2:... |
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