Guide to Employee Training Grants in Quebec

In an economic environment where the only constant is change, your employees’ competence is your most enduring competitive advantage. Aware of this critical challenge, the Quebec government offers several employee training grants to help businesses finance workforce skills development.

This guide presents the types of programs available and explains how to build a training project that will benefit not only your employees, but also your company’s performance and financial health.

How Employee Training Grants Work

Employee training grants generally function as a financial contribution granted to the employer after analysis of a structured project. The company must submit an application detailing training objectives, employees concerned, expected costs and anticipated outcomes. Aid is then granted based on specific criteria and may cover a portion of eligible expenses.

Key Takeaway

Training grants can cover up to 50% to 75% of training costs, depending on the program and your situation. This means you can train your employees at a fraction of the actual cost.

The Skills Act (1% Law)

In Quebec, companies with 50 or more employees must dedicate at least 1% of their payroll to training. If they fail to do so, they must remit this amount to the Fonds de développement et de reconnaissance des compétences de la main-d’oeuvre (FDRCMO). However, you can use training grants to meet this requirement.

Types of Generally Eligible Training

Employee training grant programs do not finance all professional development activities indiscriminately. Eligibility generally rests on the direct link between the training and the company’s needs.

Eligible training may include:

• Workplace language training (francisation)
• Training related to automation or technology integration
• Management or leadership upgrading
• Training on new software or internal systems
• Development of technical skills related to a position

Conversely, personal training, general conferences with no direct link to the functions performed, or individual development activities unrelated to business objectives are rarely eligible.

It is therefore essential to demonstrate that the training responds to a clear and measurable organizational need.

Main Forms of Financial Assistance for Training in Quebec

1. Training Measures Supported by Services Québec

Services Québec can offer financial support for training projects related to new technology integration, organizational change adaptation or strategic skills development. Support varies depending on company size, the project and regional budget availability.

2. Initiatives Supported by the CPMT

The Commission des partenaires du marché du travail supports various structuring projects aimed at workforce skills development. These initiatives can be sectoral or cross-cutting, depending on economic priorities.

3. Sectoral or Regional Programs

Certain sectors or regions benefit from specific measures related to digital transformation, automation or requalification. Eligibility for employee training grants generally depends on the economic context and current government priorities.

Type of Aid	Administered By	Main Objective	Varies According To
In-company training support	Services Québec	Skills development linked to organizational needs	Region and project
Structuring initiatives	CPMT	Sectoral or strategic projects	Economic priorities
Regional measures	Local authorities	Adaptation to market realities	Available budget

Eligibility criteria and budget envelopes may vary depending on your region and the economic context. Structuring your project adequately from the start increases your chances of acceptance and facilitates the analysis process.

If you wish to clarify the options applicable to your company, contact us to discuss your training project and assess relevant measures.

How to Align Training with Your Business Objectives

A subsidized training project gains credibility when it is part of a clearly defined business strategy. It is not solely about improving individual skills, but about supporting organizational transformation.

For example, a project may target:

• Productivity improvement
• Expansion into a new market
• Process automation
• Implementation of a new ERP system

The grant application must demonstrate how the training contributes to achieving these objectives. The clearer the strategic link, the stronger the project.

How to Build an Eligible and Winning Training Project

To build an eligible training project, you must first identify your company’s training needs. Next, you need to find a qualified trainer or training institution. Finally, you must prepare a detailed grant application that demonstrates how the training will contribute to achieving your business objectives.

Book a Consultation

Planning Training Funding Over an Annual Horizon

The most structured companies integrate training into their annual budget planning. Rather than submitting one-off applications, they establish a skills development plan aligned with their strategic priorities.

This approach allows:

• Stabilizing team skills growth
• Reducing net training costs
• Meeting Skills Act obligations
• Optimizing the use of available public funds

Training thus becomes a financial lever rather than an unpredictable expense.

Conclusion

Employee training grants represent a structuring lever for Quebec companies wishing to strengthen their competitiveness and adaptability. Developing internal skills improves productivity, supports technological transformations and retains talent in a demanding labour market. When well planned, training becomes a strategic investment rather than a simple expense.

If you wish to structure an eligible training project or validate the financial assistance measures applicable to your company, you can consult our resources on available grants or contact our team for an analysis adapted to your situation.

Book a Consultation

FAQ

Can hiring grants and employee training grants be combined?

Yes, it is generally possible to combine a hiring grant with a training grant, provided that the claimed expenses are distinct and eligible under each measure. This approach can be strategic: the hiring grant supports initial salary integration, while the training grant finances skills development. However, it is important to respect the specific criteria of each program and avoid any overlap of expenses.

What is the typical duration of a subsidized training project?

The duration of a subsidized training project varies depending on the nature of the program and the objectives pursued. Some technical upgrading projects may span a few weeks, while more structured development plans may extend over several months. The precise conditions, including eligible periods, are determined by the applicable program and must be verified before submitting the application.

Can employees outside Quebec be trained?

Grants offered by the Quebec government generally target employees attached to an establishment located in Quebec. Eligibility often depends on the main workplace and employer status. If a company has employees in other provinces or internationally, it is recommended to verify the territorial criteria specific to each measure to avoid a non-compliant application.

Can training grants be used to pay for online courses?

Yes, several financial assistance measures now accept online training, particularly when they meet the company’s organizational needs. However, the trainer or delivering organization must generally be recognized or eligible according to the program’s criteria. It is also important to demonstrate that the training is structured, measurable and directly related to the functions performed by the employees concerned.