If you are changing careers, most of the money that fits you is not called a scholarship. Provincial governments run it as retraining and skills programs, and charities offer training at no cost. Every program on this page is aimed at adults moving into new work.
Who this page is for
You have been working, or you were laid off, and you want training for a different job. Your program might be a short certificate, a college diploma or an intensive course. Most of these programs are for residents of one province, so check the province line first.
What is on this list
- Better Jobs Ontario. If you were laid off, or you have been unemployed for 12 weeks or longer and are part of a low-income household, you can apply for up to $28,000 for training of 1 year or less, or up to $35,000 for programs longer than 1 year and up to 2 years. It can cover tuition, books, transportation and a basic living allowance. You apply through an Employment Ontario service provider.
- StrongerBC future skills grant. If you live in B.C. and are 19 or older, it covers up to $3,500 for eligible short-term training at public post-secondary schools in B.C.
- Other provincial programs. WorkBC Skills Training for Employment, Alberta's Integrated Training Program, Quebec's Manpower Training Measure, New Brunswick's Training and Skill Development Program, Nova Scotia's Skills Development Program, Newfoundland and Labrador's Skills Development and Working Opportunities programs, the Northwest Territories' Skills Development Program and Yukon's Working UP.
- Federal help. Under section 25 of the Employment Insurance Act, if the EI Commission, or an authority it designates, refers you to a training course, you count as unemployed and available for work while you attend it, so your EI benefits can continue. Veterans Affairs Canada's Education and Training Benefit and OSAP for micro-credentials in Ontario are on the list too.
- Free tech training and loans. NPower Canada runs tuition-free tech programs, such as its Junior IT Analyst Program. Palette Skills runs an Upskill Canada cybersecurity program. Windmill Microlending offers skilled immigrants loans of up to $15,000 for education and licensing.
How to use this page
Order matters with retraining money. Apply to the program, and ask what it needs from you, before you pay a deposit or enrol. Then check the province, the kind of training each program pays for, and whether it expects you to be out of work. If you are going back for a full degree rather than short training, the mature students hub may fit you better.