Question Period Note: The new Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

The Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, announced in Budget 2021, helps key sectors of the economy implement solutions to address their current and emerging workforce needs.

The new Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, introduced in Budget 2021 with $960 million over three years, is connecting Canadians with the training they need to get good jobs in sectors where employers are looking for skilled workers.
• The Program also supports equity-deserving groups by promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and providing wrap-around supports as needed to those facing barriers to participation.
• The Program completed two calls for proposals that will fund projects to address workforce needs in key sectors, like health, clean economy, and others hard-hit by the pandemic and key to economic growth.
• We expect to start funding successful organizations later this fall.

In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced $960 million over three years, beginning in 2021-22, for a new Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP). The Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program helps key sectors of the economy implement solutions to address their current and emerging workforce needs. The SWSP funds sectoral projects that support workers and employers through a wide-range of activities:
• Training and reskilling to help workers gain new skills to meet the needs of employers and transition to in-demand jobs in key sectors.
• Helping employers, in particular small and medium-sized businesses, attract and retain a skilled and innovative workforce.
• Initiatives to help equity-deserving groups get the skills they need to find work and succeed in key sectors.
• Other creative solutions, standards and tools to address sectoral labour market needs.

The SWSP helps address workforce needs in key sectors, including but not limited to: agri-food; construction; health; information and communication technologies; manufacturing; natural resources and environment; tourism; and, transportation.

The SWSP will help thousands of employers and connect Canadians with the training they need to access good jobs in sectors where employers are looking for skilled workers. It also supports equity-deserving groups by promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and providing wrap-around supports as needed to those facing barriers to participation.

The SWSP launched a solicited and an open Calls for Proposals in January 2022, focused on: building talent for the clean economy; investing in the health sector; and, supporting demand-driven solutions for sectors hardest hit by the pandemic and those key to recovery. The Program is currently oversubscribed. Projects are expected to start this fall and in winter 2022-23.

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