Alberta Jobs Now applications reopen tomorrow –helping employers hire new workers and boost their skills to meet the demands of a growing economy. 

To help continue the overwhelming success of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, the Alberta Jobs Now program will open its third and final application intake on June 3. To address potential labour shortages, eligible employers can hire and train up to 10 new full-time or part-time workers. Grants would cover 25 percent of an employee’s annual salary up to a maximum of $25,000 per employee. About $90 million in total funding is available.

To further support Albertans who have faced longer-term unemployment, employers can receive up to $37,500 to support the new position if it is filled by someone who’s been out of work for at least 27 consecutive weeks. Employers who hire a person with a disability are eligible for the same higher-value grant, regardless of how long the person has been unemployed.

“Alberta Jobs Now is another critical part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan. Our investments in job creation and training will offer employees in-demand skills for a better career in our fast-growing economy.”

Kaycee Madu, Minister of Labour and Immigration

“People with disabilities are often underrepresented in the job market, despite the skills and experience they bring to the table. Alberta Jobs Now is a great opportunity for employers to hire people with disabilities and build more inclusive and accessible workplaces. By helping reduce costs for employers, we are getting Albertans back to work faster.”

Jason Luan, Minister of Community and Social Services

“Our economy continues to grow and we are faced with labour shortages, something we would not have expected two years ago. Alberta Jobs Now is crucial to ensuring that Alberta companies can hire and train the employees they need, which will keep our momentum going into the future.”

Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation

“Alberta small businesses are recovering and building for the future following some very difficult years. Our visitor economy has struggled heavily over the past several years and the Alberta Jobs Now program is especially important to them as they continue to look for employees to help them serve their growing customer demand.”

Martin Long, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism and MLA for West Yellowhead  

As of May of this year, more than 12,600 Albertans are working in positions approved under Alberta Jobs Now – which began amid pandemic challenges last year, with a focus on getting Albertans back to work, and has evolved to address the current labour shortage. The top types of jobs being hired through the program include food and beverage servers, cooks, retail salespeople, administrative officers and transport truck drivers.

Supporting Alberta’s Recovery

Alberta Jobs Now is a key component of Alberta’s Recovery Plan to create jobs and diversify the economy by strengthening the workforce with skills training and employment grants.

“As the collective voice for our industry with more than 3000 member companies, the Alberta Construction Association is grateful for the Alberta Jobs Now program. As our economy grows quickly and hiring can be a challenge, this initiative helps our members build highly skilled workforce we are so proud of. Alberta Jobs Now is one of several programs of the Alberta government to support Alberta’s construction industry, which directly employs one in 10 working Albertans, along with thousands of jobs in related occupations and industries.”

Ken Gibson, Executive Director, Alberta Construction Association

“Alberta Jobs Now has aided us to hire and retain staff during uncertain economic times: during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and, now, with the economy growing quickly. I encourage other businesses to apply to this important program and am grateful to the Government of Alberta for helping us to hire the people we need to offer excellent services to Albertans.”

Rishi Dhawan, general manager, TRU by Hilton Edmonton Windermere

To be eligible for the program, private sector businesses or non-profit organizations must use the funding to hire Albertans in a new or vacant position. The new hire must reside and work in Alberta and must not have worked for the employer within the previous 90 days.

Quick facts

• Employers will be able to apply to the third intake of Alberta Jobs now at alberta.ca/jobsnowas of 9 a.m. on June 3.
• Employers who have hired eligible employees on or after December 17, 2021, the closure date of the previous intake, can apply.
• Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are allocated.
• The grant can be used to cover salary or training costs.
• As of May 2022, the top five industries applying to the program include:

• • accommodation and food services sector – 21.12 percent
  • professional, scientific and technical services – 11.19 percent
  • construction- 9.46 percent
  • retail trade – 7.47 percent
  • manufacturing – 6.94 percent

Click here to view this announcement on the Government of Alberta website.