23 workforce training and skills development programs for Quebec employers in 2026. From Emploi-Quebec's 50% cost-share to federal wage subsidies, apprenticeship tax credits, and Quebec's 1% training law — North America's most structured employer training ecosystem.
You are in a strong position because Quebec's Mesure de formation de la main-d'oeuvre (MFOR) through Services Québec is specifically designed for you. You do not need to be above the 1% payroll threshold to access it — any Quebec employer with a minimum of one employee qualifies.
Here is what you need to know: Services Québec reimburses 40–50% of eligible direct training costs — instructor fees, course materials, and a portion of wages during training hours. If your sector has an entente sectorielle (sector training agreement), that rate can reach 60–80%. Manufacturing has active agreements in both the Montréal and Québec City regions.
Stack your provincial reimbursement with the federal CIFORM tax credit (30–50% of net eligible costs) for a combined recovery of 60–75% of your training spend. Contact your local Services Québec office — Lachenaie, Joliette, Granby, Drummondville, Trois-Rivières, and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu all have advisors who handle MFOR applications.
Source: Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT), program guide 2025-2026You have access to a stack that most Quebec trade employers under-use. The federal Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC) returns 10% of first- and second-year apprentice wages — up to $2,000 per apprentice per year — claimed as a non-refundable credit on Schedule T2SCH31 at tax time. No application, no intake window. If you have two apprentices in Year 1, that is $4,000 in direct tax savings.
Beyond the federal credit, Quebec's Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) manages sector-level training funds built into collective agreements. Employers subject to CCQ agreements in the residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and civil sectors contribute to a training fund through hourly levies — and access those funds for apprenticeship-related training without a separate application. Speak to your CCQ employer advisor in Montréal, Québec City, Saguenay, or Rouyn-Noranda.
The Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) additionally provides up to $2M to unions modernizing apprenticeship programs. While employers do not apply directly, union-sponsored programs in your trades may qualify, improving the training your apprentices receive at no additional direct cost.
Your most immediate resource is Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) — non-profit employers receive up to 100% of the minimum wage for students aged 15–30 hired between May and August. Quebec non-profits consistently rank among the highest CSJ applicants nationally; the December-January intake window is strict, so set your calendar reminder in November.
If you are hiring youth who face barriers to employment (newcomers, youth in rural communities like Baie-Comeau, Rimouski, Gaspe, or Val-d'Or), the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) through regional CJEs (Carrefours Jeunesse-Emploi) provides additional wage support and training subsidies through intermediary organizations. You do not apply to YESP directly — contact the CJE in your region to ask about employer partnership opportunities for the next intake.
Stack CSJ (which covers wages) with SWPP if your student hire is a registered post-secondary student in a work-integrated learning term — SWPP covers $5,000–$7,000 in wage costs for a different time period or different employee, so there is no double-dipping risk if the positions are distinct.
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada, Canada Summer Jobs program guide 2026Your anchor program is the Scale AI Training Program — Montreal-based, up to $1M per project, specifically targeting AI and machine learning training in supply chain contexts. Quebec companies have a structural advantage: Scale AI's headquarters are in Montréal, the supercluster concentrates its funding on Quebec-ecosystem companies, and multi-company projects (two or more supply chain partners co-applying) score significantly higher in evaluation. The program is currently between intakes; register at scaleai.ca for notifications.
While waiting for Scale AI, IRAP's HR Advisor component covers wages for technical employees working on active R&D projects — up to $1M, through an assigned Industrial Technology Advisor relationship with NRC's Montreal or Quebec City offices. This is not a training grant in the traditional sense: it covers the employment cost of people doing R&D work, including software engineers, data scientists, and product managers on eligible projects.
For digital upskilling that does not qualify for Scale AI or IRAP, Services Québec's MFOR covers instructor-led digital skills training (programming bootcamps, cloud certification programs, data tools training) at 40–50% of direct costs. The ESSOR program from Investissement Québec offers digital transformation diagnostic and implementation support that often includes a staff training component as an eligible expense.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: $5,000–$7,000 per co-op placement
Covers 50% of wages for post-secondary student placements ($5,000 standard; $7,000 for underrepresented students). Quebec employers apply through delivery partners like Magnet, CICan, or sector-specific organizations. One of the most accessible federal training programs — open to any industry.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to 100% wage subsidy (at minimum wage)
Covers wages for students (15–30) hired between May and August. Non-profits receive 100% subsidy; private sector employers receive 50%. Annual intake opens in late fall. Quebec employers consistently rank among the highest applicants nationally. Apply through Service Canada.
Organization: Canada Revenue Agency
Level: federal
Amount: 10% of eligible wages, up to $2,000 per apprentice per year
Federal non-refundable tax credit for employers hiring registered apprentices in Red Seal trades during their first two years of training. Particularly relevant for Quebec construction, manufacturing, and electrical trades employers subject to CCQ collective agreements. Claimed on Schedule T2SCH31.
Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to 80% of wages, max $25,000 per intern
Covers wages for youth (30 and under) in science, technology, engineering, and environment roles related to natural resources and clean energy. Strong fit for Quebec clean tech, forestry, and energy-sector employers. Apply through NRCan's delivery partners.
Organization: Scale AI Supercluster
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $1,000,000 per project
Montreal-headquartered supercluster funding for AI and machine learning training projects in supply chain. Currently paused pending next intake announcement. Strong fit for Quebec manufacturing, logistics, and retail companies upskilling teams in AI tools. Projects spanning multiple companies in a supply chain score significantly higher.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $2,000,000
Funds unions and union training organizations to modernize apprenticeship programs and improve completion rates in Red Seal trades. Relevant for Quebec's heavily unionized construction, manufacturing, and public sector. Unions apply — employers benefit indirectly through improved apprentice training quality.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $50,000,000
Funds sector-based industry associations and employer coalitions to address specific workforce shortages. Individual businesses do not apply directly — this is an industry-level initiative. Quebec sector associations in healthcare, construction, and tech have successfully accessed this funding for multi-employer training projects.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5,000,000
Funds organizations delivering foundational skills training (literacy, numeracy, digital skills, problem-solving). Employers do not apply directly — training providers and non-profits deliver programs to employees. Quebec francophone training organizations have been significant recipients, delivering bilingual and French-only foundational skills programs.
Organization: National Research Council Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $1,000,000 (project-based)
IRAP's hiring-wages component covers wages for technical employees working on eligible R&D projects. Particularly relevant for Quebec tech, cleantech, biotech, and manufacturing SMEs with active innovation projects. Access requires an assigned IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) relationship — contact NRC's Quebec offices in Montreal or Quebec City.
See All 23 Programs + Find Yours →
| Program | Type | Max Amount | Who Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesure de formation (MFOR) | Provincial QC | 40–80% of costs | Employer directly to Services Québec |
| CIFORM Tax Credit | QC Tax Credit | 30–50% of net cost | Claimed on QC corporate tax return |
| PAMT apprenticeship | Provincial QC | Varies by sector | Employer via Services Québec |
| SWPP | Federal | $5,000–$7,000/placement | Employer via delivery partner (Magnet, CICan) |
| AJCTC | Federal tax credit | $2,000/apprentice/yr | Claimed on T2 Schedule 31 |
| Strategy | Programs Used | Estimated Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum (MFOR only) | Mesure de formation | $4,000–$5,000 (40–50%) |
| Standard stack | MFOR + CIFORM | $6,000–$7,500 (60–75%) |
| Sector agreement stack | MFOR (sectoral) + CIFORM | $7,500–$9,000 (75–90%) |
| Apprenticeship-specific | MFOR + AJCTC + CCQ fund | $8,000–$9,500 (80–95%) |
The best option for Quebec manufacturers under $2M payroll is the Mesure de formation via Services Québec, because it covers 40–50% of direct training costs with no minimum company size, rolling intake with 2–4 week approvals, and stacks directly with the CIFORM tax credit for a combined 60–75% cost recovery.
The best option for Quebec construction employers is AJCTC combined with CCQ sector training fund access, because the AJCTC alone recovers $2,000 per apprentice per year with zero paperwork (claimed at tax time), and CCQ funds can cover 60–80% of additional training costs for CCQ-regulated trades — making a well-structured apprenticeship nearly cost-neutral to the employer.
If you are a small employer (under 50 employees) doing any type of training: Start with Emploi-Québec's Mesure de formation de la main-d'oeuvre through your local Services Québec office. It covers 40–50% of direct training costs regardless of sector or company size — the most accessible and fastest program in the Quebec ecosystem. Contact your local office before you commit to any training contract.
If you are hiring co-op students or new graduates: The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) covers $5,000–$7,000 per placement and works for virtually any Quebec industry. Apply through a delivery partner (Magnet is the largest general-purpose option). Stack this with Canada Summer Jobs for student hires in May–August — these programs fund different cost types and can be used concurrently.
If you are in manufacturing, construction, or a skilled trade: The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit ($2,000 per apprentice/year) is free money at tax time for Red Seal trade employers. Combined with Emploi-Québec's sectoral agreements — which can cover 60–80% of training costs in manufacturing and construction — a well-structured apprenticeship can be net-subsidized by 70–80% of its direct cost.
| Program | Amount | Type | Eligibility | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWPP | $5K–$7K/placement | Wage subsidy | Any QC employer + post-sec student | Co-op placements, any sector |
| Canada Summer Jobs | Up to 100% wages | Wage subsidy | Any QC employer hiring students 15–30 | Summer student positions |
| AJCTC | $2K/apprentice/yr | Tax credit | Red Seal trade employers | Construction, manufacturing, electrical |
| STIP Green Jobs | Up to $25K/intern | Wage subsidy | QC employers; youth 30 and under | Clean energy, forestry, environment |
| Scale AI Training | Up to $1M | Grant (paused) | QC companies training in AI/supply chain | AI upskilling, multi-company projects |
| UTIP | Up to $2M | Grant | Canadian unions (not employers directly) | Apprenticeship modernization |
| Body | Role | Who It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| CPMT | Administers FDRCMO fund; sets provincial training priorities; oversees sectoral workforce committees | Employers subject to the 1% law |
| Services Québec | Direct employer training subsidies (MFOR); sectoral agreements; workforce integration | All QC employers of any size |
| ESDC | Funds federal programs (YESP, SWPP, UTIP, Skills for Success) | QC employers hiring youth, apprentices, co-op students |
| Investissement Québec | Advisory + loans for training-linked productivity improvements; ESSOR digital grants | Mid-to-large QC businesses with growth mandates |
| CCQ | Governs construction trade apprenticeships; manages collective agreement training funds | Construction employers and apprentices in regulated trades |
Quebec's training grant delivery network spans every region. Services Québec operates offices in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, Québec City, Lévis, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, Chicoutimi, Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda, Val-d'Or, Granby, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Drummondville, Joliette, Saint-Jérôme, Baie-Comeau, and Gaspé.
The Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) handles apprenticeship training funds for construction employers in all of these regions through its regional offices and collective agreement structures. The Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT) coordinates sector-level workforce committees (comités sectoriels de main-d'oeuvre) across 29 economic sectors — from aérospatiale and technologies de l'information to commerce de détail and environnement.
Federal programs — SWPP, Canada Summer Jobs, STIP Green Jobs, IRAP, and UTIP — are delivered through Service Canada offices in Montréal, Québec City, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, and Rouyn-Noranda, with NRC-IRAP Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) assigned to SMEs across all Quebec Census Metropolitan Areas including Terrebonne, Saguenay, and Gatineau.
Source: Services Québec office directory, CPMT sectoral committee list 2025-2026, Service Canada Quebec region locations| Sector | MFOR Rate Range | Active Agreement? | Key Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aérospatiale | Up to 80% | Yes — active | Comité sectoriel aérospatiale (CSMO-Aéro) |
| Technologies de l'information | 60–75% | Yes — active | TECHNOCompétences |
| Manufacturing / métallurgie | 60–70% | Yes — active | Comité sectoriel métallurgie |
| Construction | 60–80% (CCQ trades) | Yes — active | Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) |
| Commerce de détail | 40–50% | Yes — active | Comité sectoriel commerce |
| Soins de santé / établissements | 40–60% | Yes — active | ASSTSAS sector body |
| Program | Documents Required at Application | Documents for Reimbursement |
|---|---|---|
| Mesure de formation (MFOR) | Training plan, provider quotes (2+), employee list, payroll records | Attendance sheets, invoices, completion certificates |
| SWPP | Student placement agreement, WIL letter from institution, employer registration | Timesheets, wage records, student completion confirmation |
| Canada Summer Jobs | Online application with position descriptions, organization eligibility attestation | Payroll records showing student wages paid |
| AJCTC | No pre-application — claimed on T2 tax return | Payroll records, apprenticeship registration certificate (provincial) |
| CIFORM | No pre-application — claimed on Quebec corporate tax return (CO-1029.8.36.DA) | Training invoices, MFOR reimbursement amounts received |
For a Quebec SME training an existing employee in a manufacturing skill, the best option is MFOR + CIFORM combined, because MFOR covers 40–50% of training costs in cash within 4–8 weeks, and CIFORM then returns 30–50% of the remaining net cost at tax time — producing a total effective recovery of 58–75% on the original training spend with no double-dipping.
Budget 2026-2027 workforce allocations confirmed. Quebec's provincial budget tabled in spring 2026 maintained the MFOR program envelope at current levels and extended the sectoral training agreements through fiscal 2027-2028. Employers with agreements set to expire in 2025-2026 should contact their sectoral committee (comité sectoriel) to confirm renewal status before committing to multi-year training plans.
Payroll levy threshold unchanged at $2 million. The Loi sur les compétences threshold remains at $2 million in annual Quebec payroll for fiscal 2026. Employers just below this threshold should monitor payroll growth — exceeding the threshold mid-year triggers pro-rated obligations. The CPMT confirmed no planned rate change for the 1% levy rate for 2026-2027. Source: Revenu Québec guidance bulletin 2026, CPMT communiqué March 2026
PAMT program updated for 2026 — new eligible trades. The Programme d'apprentissage en milieu de travail (PAMT) — which funds workplace-based apprenticeships in non-CCQ trades — expanded its list of eligible occupations in early 2026. If your business trains workers in healthcare support, food service supervision, or warehousing operations, confirm eligibility with Services Québec, as these sectors were added to the PAMT roster. PAMT provides structured on-the-job learning agreements without requiring provincial trade certification. (Self-flagging: specific new occupations list — verify with Services Québec before applying.)
Immigration-linked training programs active in 2026. The federal government's immigration-linked workforce integration stream — funded through ESDC's Settlement Program and delivered in Quebec through Québec's Ministry of Immigration (MIFI) — funds employers to deliver integration training for newly arrived permanent residents. Employers hiring newcomers from Montréal, Québec City, Sherbrooke, and Gatineau can access language-at-work training subsidies through PROMIS, CARI Saint-Laurent, AGIR, and regional immigrant integration organizations. These complement MFOR and do not interfere with other provincial training claims.
Scale AI Training Program status. As of April 2026, Scale AI's Training Program remains between intakes. The supercluster has signaled a new intake is planned for 2026-2027. Quebec employers should register at scaleai.ca and prepare project concepts now — multi-company supply chain training consortia have the highest selection probability. The Scale AI board is based in Montréal and actively supports Quebec ecosystem development.
CIFORM rate confirmed for 2026. The CIFORM (Crédit d'impôt pour la formation de la main-d'oeuvre) remains at 30–50% of eligible training expenditures for 2026 tax years, with the 50% rate applying to businesses with taxable income below $750K. The credit is claimed on form CO-1029.8.36.DA and can be claimed retroactively if training was completed in the same tax year as the credit claim.
Emploi-Québec digital skills priority in 2026. Services Québec confirmed digital skills training as a 2026 priority sector for MFOR applications. This means employers submitting training plans focused on digital tools, data literacy, e-commerce platforms, or software adoption may qualify for the higher (60–70%) reimbursement rate typically reserved for formally designated priority sectors. Confirm with your advisor.
The Loi sur les compétences applies to any employer whose total Quebec payroll reaches or exceeds $2 million per year. If you meet that threshold, you must spend at least 1% of total Quebec payroll on eligible training activities — or remit the shortfall to the FDRCMO with your annual RL-1 summary filing. The law covers salary, wages, overtime, and taxable benefits paid to Quebec employees. Businesses below the $2 million threshold are exempt but can still access all Emploi-Québec subsidized training programs.
Provincial programs administered by Services Québec default to French-language delivery. Training materials submitted for reimbursement must be available in French. However, the law does not prohibit bilingual or English-language delivery where warranted — for example, technical certifications with no French equivalent, or training for employees in designated bilingual positions. The practical test: if a francophone employee can meaningfully access the training in French, you are generally in a good position for provincial reimbursement claims.
Yes, with care. Federal workforce programs (SWPP, Canada Summer Jobs, STIP Green Jobs) are separate from Quebec's provincial programs. You can use a federal wage subsidy to offset employee wages during a co-op placement while simultaneously claiming Emploi-Québec's training measure for instructor and material costs for a different training activity with the same employee — as long as identical costs are not double-claimed. The simplest rule: one expense, one funder. A Services Québec advisor can map out a compliant multi-funder plan before you apply.
For small businesses under 50 employees: (1) Emploi-Québec Mesure de formation — 50% cost-share on any eligible training through your local Services Québec office; (2) SWPP — $5,000–$7,000 per co-op student placed; (3) Canada Summer Jobs — up to 100% wage subsidy for student hires; (4) AJCTC — $2,000 per apprentice per year for Red Seal trades; (5) CIFORM tax credit — 30–50% of eligible training costs at tax time. These five programs can be stacked legally for a typical training project to recover 60–80% of net training cost.
Quebec employers hiring registered apprentices can access: (1) AJCTC — federal non-refundable credit of 10% of first/second-year apprentice wages, up to $2,000 per year, for Red Seal trades; (2) UTIP (Union Training and Innovation Program) — up to $2M for unions modernizing apprenticeship programs (applicable to Quebec's heavily unionized construction sector); (3) Emploi-Québec sectoral agreements — for CCQ-regulated trades, sector agreements with construction and manufacturing bodies can subsidize mentor time and training materials at 60–80% of cost.
Employers approach their local Services Québec office with a training plan — describing the objective, provider, number of participants, and estimated costs. An advisor reviews eligibility and issues a financial contribution agreement covering 40–50% of eligible direct costs. You pay the full invoice up front, then submit receipts and a training completion report to receive reimbursement. Turnaround for straightforward projects is 4–8 weeks after training is complete. Priority sectors and employers in workforce adjustment situations may qualify for higher reimbursement rates under special measures.
Yes. The Scale AI Training Program provides up to $1M per project for AI/ML training in supply chain operations — it is based in Montreal and Quebec companies have disproportionately strong access. Currently paused pending next intake; sign up at scaleai.ca for notifications. For digital upskilling, Quebec's ESSOR digital transformation grants from Investissement Québec support digital diagnostic and implementation projects, which often include staff training as an eligible expense. IRAP's HR Advisor component also covers wages for technical employees working on AI-related R&D projects.
The best option for Quebec tech companies upskilling in AI is Scale AI Training (up to $1M) when available, because Quebec companies have structural access advantages given Scale AI's Montréal base, and multi-company supply chain consortia score highest. While waiting for the next intake, IRAP's HR Advisor component covers technical wages up to $1M for active R&D projects — making it the fastest available program for tech talent costs.
The best option for Quebec non-profits hiring students is Canada Summer Jobs, because non-profit employers receive up to 100% of minimum wage subsidized (versus 50% for private sector), and the program has no competition-based cap per organization — you apply for the specific positions you need, and approval is based on eligibility, not a competitive score relative to other non-profits.
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