Ontario Job Grant (OJG): Up to $15,000 per Trainee for Training
Keeping your team's technical skills current costs money, and outside training in areas such as cloud certifications, AI/ML and cybersecurity can strain a training budget. The Ontario Job Grant (OJG) helps Ontario employers cover eligible costs of third-party delivered training.
The OJG covers eligible training costs up to $10,000 per trainee for existing employees, or up to $15,000 for newly hired previously-unemployed workers. The program is open, with applications accepted year-round and assessed on an ongoing basis, currently limited to employers training 25 or fewer participants.
What is OJG?
The OJG is an Ontario employer training grant. It is funded jointly by Canada and Ontario under the Canada–Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement.
It covers third-party delivered training such as cloud certifications, AI/ML, cybersecurity and technical skills. It is open to employers in all industries, from startups to established companies, and funding is paid as a reimbursement of eligible training costs.
OJG at a glance
| Detail | Ontario Job Grant (OJG) |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | $2K – $15K |
| Program type | Grant |
| Level | Provincial |
| Where it applies | Ontario (ON) |
| Status | Open |
| Deadline | Applications accepted year-round and assessed on an ongoing basis — currently limited to employers training 25 or fewer participants. Apply before training begins; only one application per employer at a time. |
| What it funds | Training & Upskilling |
| Industries | All sectors |
| Company stage | Startup, Growth, Expansion, Established |
| Payment model | Reimbursement |
| Matching funds required | Yes |
| Competition level | Low |
How much funding is available?
The amount the government covers depends on your company's size and on whether the trainee is an existing employee or a new hire. For existing employees, the cap is $10,000 per trainee. For newly hired previously unemployed workers, the cap is $15,000 per trainee.
An employer contribution is required in most cases. The exception is newly hired previously unemployed workers, where training can be up to 100% funded with no minimum employer contribution.
- Employers with 100+ employees: the government covers 50% of costs, up to $10,000 per trainee.
- Employers with under 100 employees: the government covers up to 5/6 of costs, up to $10,000 per trainee, for existing employees.
- Newly hired previously unemployed workers: up to $15,000 per trainee, up to 100% funded, with no minimum employer contribution.
Who is eligible?
The employer
- A for-profit or non-profit Ontario employer with a physical location in Ontario for at least 1 year.
- Applications are currently limited to employers training 25 or fewer participants.
- Employers may only submit one OJG application at a time.
- The grant cannot be used to displace existing staff or to replace laid-off employees.
The training
- Delivered by an eligible third-party provider in Ontario.
- Completed within 52 weeks.
The trainee
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person.
- Resident in Ontario and legally authorized to work.
When and how to apply
The OJG is open. Applications are accepted year-round and assessed on an ongoing basis, with no fixed deadline. Intake is currently limited to employers training 25 or fewer participants.
You must apply before training begins, and your company can have only one application in at a time. The training must then be completed within 52 weeks, and funding is paid as a reimbursement of eligible costs.
The status of Ontario Job Grant (OJG) in EVAMAX Grant AI™ is currently Open. Grant AI™ re-checks it against the official program page, so look there for the latest before you start an application.
Is OJG right for you?
The OJG suits Ontario employers with at least 1 year at a physical location in the province that want to upskill staff through eligible third-party training in Ontario, such as cloud, AI/ML, cybersecurity or other technical skills. It is most generous when you hire previously unemployed workers, and companies under 100 employees get a larger share covered than those with 100+ employees. Watch the timing rules: apply before training starts, finish within 52 weeks, keep to one application at a time, and do not use the grant to displace existing staff or replace laid-off employees.
Next steps: look up Ontario Job Grant (OJG) in EVAMAX Grant AI™ to see its live status and other programs that fit your company, or talk to EVAMAX about building your application.
Program details are from the EVAMAX Grant AI™ record as of October 8, 2026. Programs change — confirm current terms on the official program page before you apply.