Question Period Note: The Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

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

The Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, introduced in Budget 2021 connects 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 has already invested $410 million to fund projects to address workforce needs in priority areas, like health, the clean economy, and other sectors key to economic growth.

Successful organizations are working hard to implement projects and demonstrate results to Canadians over the coming year.

In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP). The SWSP 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. This is a primary focus for the Program, and includes developing and delivering micro-credentials or certification programs and other training opportunities such as work-integrated learning.

Solutions to help employers, in particular small and
medium-sized businesses, attract and retain a skilled and innovative workforce.

Initiatives to reduce barriers and 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.

In 2022, the SWSP completed its first intake process through a solicited and an open Call for Proposals, which focused on the following three priorities: (i) building talent for the clean economy; (ii) investing in the health sector; and, (iii) supporting
demand-driven solutions for sectors hardest hit by the pandemic and those key to recovery. The Program is currently oversubscribed. Through the solicited Call for Proposals, the Program invested
$410 million to launch 21 projects by January 2023. The department is working with successful organizations to implement projects and demonstrate results to Canadians over the next year. The 21 SWSP contribution agreements will conclude on March 31, 2024.

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