Funding for Training

We are not accepting applications for this program at this time.

Skills Development Program

The Skills Development Program assists with funding for training of employees of local businesses, sole proprietors and social enterprises to enhance the skills set of those employees/owners, provide transferable skills and contribute to the overall strength for the work force capabilities in Haliburton County.

A business association or organization that represents the interest of businesses may apply for funding to provide training for a number of businesses.

Eligible activities include:

• Training can be on-site or off-site; in-house or outsourced
• Training can be provided for employees and owners.

• Applications for funding for training to be received at a conference or trade show must include learning goals and identify the workshops/seminar that applicants plan to attend to achieve these goals.

 Eligible Recipients:

• for-profit businesses, sole proprietors and social enterprises
• a business association or organization that represents the interest of businesses may apply for funding to provide training for a number of businesses.
• The Committee will consider funding for training for seasonal employees who are ongoing employees and work for a business at least 7 months of the year.
• Sole proprietors/self-employed individuals must work at their business at least 20 hrs per week to be eligible.
• Training that is mandated by a profession to be undertaken annually is not eligible.
• Summer students, employees in temporary jobs, or part time jobs less than 20 hrs per week, are not eligible.

Eligible Costs:

• Assistance is available for 50% of the training costs to a maximum of $5,000 per employee. (Dependent on the availability of funds)
• The maximum available to any individual business is $25,000. (this includes an association or organization applying on behalf of a number of small businesses/sole proprietors)

• These costs may include travel, accommodation and learning resources that may be needed to acquire the appropriate training.

Funding Criteria:

 All funds must be expended by March 31, 2013

Application Process

Applications must follow the format of the HCDC application form. Applications submitted after the deadline date may be considered dependent on the availability of funding.

It is highly recommended that applicants discuss this project with Patti Tallman at 457-3555, prior to completing an application to ensure it fits the criteria and/or to examine opportunities to partner with other organizations/potential applicants.

Please note: The review committee will only consider complete applications.

Guidelines (Word | PDF)

Application (Word | PDF)

Application Deadline: February 15, 2012

Approval Process

Receipt of an application by the HCDC does not indicate a commitment for funding. Project proposals will be reviewed by a funding review committee of the HCDC Board of directors. If the application is approved, the HCDC will prepare a letter of understanding with terms, conditions and a funding disbursement schedule.

Reporting and Monitoring

Successful applicant(s) will be required to report to the HCDC on the progress of their training initiative and submit a final report. These will be outlined in a letter of understanding for approved projects. The HCDC reserves the right to request site visits to monitor training progress (with advance notice).

Payment of HCDC Contributions

Detailed instructions and claim forms will be provided to applicants after their projects are approved by HCDC. However, applicants may find the following general information useful in their financial planning:

• Funds will be released to the business after successful completion of the training. When the training is complete, the business is to submit a claim consistent with the letter of agreement with proof of training completion.
• HCDC contributions will be subject to a 10% hold back until the applicant has completed the project, met all project requirements as laid out in the letter of understanding and/or until a final report is received by the HCDC.

• If advance payments are required, please provide justification in your application.

Evaluation Criteria

The review committee will use the following criteria to evaluate the applications for funding:

Will the training:

• enhance the skills set of employees/new hire/sole proprietors/owners?
• provide transferable skills to the employees/sole proprietors/owners*?
• contribute to the overall strength of the work force capabilities in Haliburton County?
• Does this initiative support the development of new skills in the community?
• Are there appropriate resources to undertake this initiative?
• Does the consultant/training institution/person providing the training have the appropriate qualifications to do this training?
• Does the budget seem reasonable or feasible?
• Do the expenses meet the criteria for eligibility?
• Was research done to see if the training could be provided locally?
• If the training is being organized by an association or organization on behalf of a number of small businesses/sole proprietors, have they demonstrated the need for the training and identified the small businesses/sole proprietors who may require the training?

 * For the purpose of the HCDC’s Eastern Ontario Development Program a “Social Enterprise” is defined as a not-for-profit organization that is involved in revenue-producing activities – Please note: Only expenses for the employees involved in the revenue producing activities of an organization are eligible for funding in the Skills Development Program.