Get up to $10,000 to hire a new employee from an under-represented group.
Currently this program is not accepting new applications. You may consider applying to the ICTC Work Integrated Learning Digital Program which offers a similar hiring grant for employers hiring students with domestic status . If you have any questions please contact ICTC.
The Innovator Skills Initiative is designed to increase diversity in the tech sector and help B.C.-based businesses fill talent shortages and grow. The program provides grants to employers that are hiring for tech or tech-related roles.
The program aims to help more under-represented people get their first job in the tech sector by ensuring placements for under-represented people are available.
Employers will offer valuable paid work experience to prepare individuals for ongoing employment.
Employers can receive:
Innovate BC will provide employers with links to resources to support them in recruiting, retaining, and developing employees who self-identify as under-represented.
Innovator Skills Initiative funding is available to employers through Innovate BC’s program as well as through partner programs including:
Employer Eligibility
Employee Eligibility
Placement Eligibility
This program is closed to new applications.
Innovate BC has a number of grants that require employers to hire skilled workers. To help employers find the right candidate, here is a list of organizations that have available skilled workers.
If you’re interested in hiring tech talent, please reach out to a contact below with your job description and the Innovate BC program you applied for.
Is your organization looking to expand their talent pool while breaking down the barriers faced by underrepresented populations? Let's talk about inclusive hiring practices!
We’ve partnered with Tech and People Network (TAP Network) to give you access to their Diversity and Inclusion Resource HUB—the Canadian tech industry’s #1 destination for best-in-class resources and tools to understand and implement inclusive hiring practices.
Each individual step (Employer Application, Employee Confirmation and Employee Intake) in the application process takes up to 15 business days to process. The Employer will be notified of their application status via email shortly after review.
Yes. Note that the latest start date for a hire is March 15, 2022.
Employers can apply for a grant retroactively for work terms that started in the past, with a start date no earlier than June 1, 2021. The application must be submitted before the minimum 4-month work placement is complete.
Yes, grant stacking is permitted as long as the combined value of all grant funding does not exceed the employee’s salary. Limitations apply: Grants supported by Innovator Skills Initiative funds through our partners (e.g. Mitacs and ICTC) are not eligible for the same employee at the same time.
No. An employee must reside in B.C. in order to be eligible.
‘Immediate family’ means father, mother, step-father, step-mother, foster parent, brother, sister, spouse or common-law partner, child – including child of common-law partner, step-child, ward, father-in-law, mother-in-law, or any relative permanently residing with the recipient or the employer.
Yes, if they are authorized in writing to work in Canada under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. In addition, the student must be 16-years of age or older as per B.C.’s Employment Standards Act.
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. If you have reached $10,000 in salary payments and a minimum of 3 months has passed, contact us to inquire about submitting for early claim.
Applications close March 11, 2022.
Mark O’Marketing
VP Sales & Marketing, Xappp
Mark O’Marketing
VP Sales & Marketing, Xappp
Mark O’Marketing
VP Sales & Marketing, Xappp
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