The following is a summary of provincial and federal financial aid programs that are available to employers and job seekers.  This list is not meant to be all-encompassing and other programs may be available to some individuals or organizations.  Interested job seekers and employers alike are strongly encouraged to contact Service Canada, formerly part of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), directly at 1-800-622-6232 for specific information on federal programs and the B.C. Inquiry Centre at 604-660-2421 for options regarding provincial programs.

Federal (HRSDC)
Employers and Job Seekers:

• Employment Assistance Services aids employers who want to hire unemployed people, who are or were eligible for Employment Insurance benefits, but need help covering costs such as overhead, wages, and other employment related costs and expenses. 
  For more details visit
  Human Resources Development Canada on this topic.
  For individual information contact your nearest Service Canada Centre or call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232.
  
  
• Targeted Wage Subsidies offers temporary wage subsidies to employers.  The job seeker must be or have been eligible for Employment Insurance benefits and face barriers to employment. 
  For more details visit Human Resources Development Canada on this topic.
  For individual information contact your nearest Service Canada Centre or call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232.
  
  
• Job Creation Partnerships aids employers in hiring unemployed people, who were or are eligible for Employment Insurance benefits, for project work.  This gives the individual an opportunity to gain work experience. 
  For more details visit Human Resources Development Canada on this topic.
  
  
• Skills Link helps employers who are willing to hire youth (ages 15 to 30) who face barriers to employment.  The program helps youth obtain the knowledge and develop the skills and work experience they need to find employment.  Skills Link offers a range of programs and services and can also be applied for by interested employers. 
  For more details visit Human Resources Development Canada on this topic.
  For individual information contact your nearest Service Canada Centre
  or call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232.

Job Seekers:

• Skills Development provides a negotiated amount of financial assistance to unemployed people, who were or are eligible for Employment Insurance benefits, for job training.
  For more details visit Human Resources Development Canada on this topic.
  For individual information contact your nearest Service Canada Centre
  or call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232.
  
  
• Self-Employment gives income and entrepreneurial support to unemployed people, who were or are eligible for Employment Insurance benefits, so they can develop and implement a business plan.
  For more details visit Human Resources Development Canada on this topic.
  For individual information, contact your nearest Service Canada Centre
  or call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232.

Provincial
Job Seekers:

• BC Employment and Assistance consists of various programs that provide essential income support, employment and training support and other benefits to eligible people. 
  To find out more visit the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance website on this topic or call:

• In Victoria: 250-387-6121
• In Vancouver: 604-660-2421
• Elsewhere in British Columbia: 1-800-663-7867

• Student Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible students at designated post-secondary institutions for accredited programs. 
  For more details visit the Ministry of Advanced Education website on this topic
   
  To find out if you, your program and school qualify call:

• Victoria: 250-387-6100
• Lower Mainland: 604-660-2610
• Toll-free (Canada): 1-800-561-1818
• For information on eligible private post-secondary institutions call the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) at 604-660-4400 or visit their website at www.pctia.bc.ca

• British Columbia Trucking Association Training Entrance Awards are available through the Flemming Sondergaard Memorial Education Endowment Fund. For more information, click here.