Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit
The maximum tax credit per qualifying apprentice is $5,000 per taxation year up to a maximum of $15,000 over the first 36 months of the apprenticeship.

Eligible apprentices must be hired before January 1, 2008 and must be in a qualifying skilled trade. Qualifying skilled trades include designated construction, industrial and motive power trades, as well as some service trades.

Jane DeJong, Manager,
Job Gym, St. Catharines
905 682-8372

Targeted Wage Subsidy Program-negotiable
Summary:  The Targeted Wage Subsidy Program is a federal program which provides a subsidy of wages and other costs to hire new employees with special needs.  The subsidy covers a portion of training costs with negotiated wages and duration, generally 60% of wages for a period of up to 30 weeks.  Amounts vary on a case by case basis depending on client circumstances.  Eligible workers must be unemployed and currently receiving or have received employment insurance benefits in the last three years.  Generally, the contribution ranges between $2000 and $5000 per new employee. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/sid/cia/grants/tws/desc_tws.shtml

- Employers in Welland, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines please contact Business Education Council (905) 684-2115 - Mike Jackson/Sue Vlaar. 

- Employers in other areas of Niagara, please contact Gord Campbell (905) 988-2821/Alan Dell (905) 988-2760

Ontario Graduate Transition Tax Credit-up to $4000/employee
Summary:  The program targets unemployed graduates by encouraging business to provide work opportunities for students who have graduated within the last 3 years from a post-secondary program and are still without full-time employment (in 15 of the last 32 weeks). The program provides a 10-15% refundable tax credit for qualifying expenditures incurred in hiring unemployed Ontario post-secondary graduates. The maximum credit per new hire is up to $4000 (CDN) to offset wage and hiring costs.
Ministry of Finance, Communications and Corporate Affairs Branch
416 325-0333

Enhanced Job Placement (Ontario Works)
The Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities Division can save employers time and money by matching the right employee to the right job.  The Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities Job Developers know the local employment scene and can assist employers with their recruitment needs.  The Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities Division is committed to linking job-ready individuals to the local labour market.  Through programs and services they can arrange to purchase job specific training for new employees or provide employers with funding up to $3000.00 to hire a new employee who may require the additional on-the-job training.
For more information please contact the Job Developer in your sector:
Hospitality/Tourism Sector
Andrea Iannuzzelli 905-354-3561 ext. 254
Sharon Mills 905-354-3561 ext. 253
Health and Wellness and Social Service Sector
Judy Moore 905-980-6095
Manufacturing/Production Sector
Karen Sandercott 905-980-6016
Service/Technology Sector
Ed Williams 905-980-6043
Skilled Trades Sector
Ron Wing 905-734-7975 ext. 505

Job Connect Program – up to $3000/employee
Summary:  Assistance with career planning and job-search techniques, work experience placements, and on-the-job training for Ontarians, primarily young people, to gain the skill and knowledge to find and keep jobs.  The program targets disadvantaged youth by providing them with on-the-job-training opportunities.  Once hired, the employer is eligible to receive a training subsidy of up to $3,000 (CDN) per employee hired.
Jane DeJong, Manager,
Job Gym, St. Catharines
905 682-8372