Upgraded | Canadian Government Funding

The NOHFC People & Talent Program, administered by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, aims to build and support the workforce in Northern Ontario by fostering both new job creation and the retention of existing roles. This program helps develop talent across the region and supports workforce growth.

It offers two distinct funding streams, each with its own set of eligibility requirements and criteria, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

‍

Funding Amount

Funding support differs for each stream:

Indigenous Workforce Development Stream:

Covers 75–90% of an Indigenous intern’s wages and the employer’s share of Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs), up to a cap of $35,000 per year.
For qualified businesses, support covers up to 75% of costs to a maximum of $52,500 per year.
Approval of funding is at the discretion of the NOHFC Board of Directors.
Funding is limited and meeting eligibility does not guarantee approval.

Workforce Development Stream:

Offers conditional support of up to 50% of an intern’s salary.
Combined public funding (provincial and federal) must not exceed 50% of eligible expenses for businesses, or 90% for municipalities, Indigenous groups, and non-profits.
Funding approval is decided by the NOHFC Board.
Program capacity is limited, and eligibility does not ensure funding.

‍

Clipboard symbol with a small checkmark bottom right

Eligible Applicants

Each stream has specific applicant requirements:

Indigenous Workforce Development Stream:

Open to businesses, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profits based in Northern Ontario.
Must have been operating for at least one year.
Must employ at least one full-time staff member.

Workforce Development Stream:

Same as above: applicants must be located in Northern Ontario, in operation for at least one year, and have one or more full-time employees.

‍

Eligible Activities

Indigenous Workforce Development Stream:

Supports up to 52 weeks of internships (minimum 35 hours/week) covering salaries and MERCs for Indigenous individuals who:

Identify as First Nation, Métis, or Inuit;
Are entering or transitioning into the workforce, or unemployed/underemployed and entering a new field;
Have not previously received NOHFC internship funding;
Are at least 18 years old;
Are legally entitled to work in Canada.

Organizations may only receive funding for two interns at a time, and only for 52 weeks of work.

Workforce Development Stream:

Also covers up to 52 weeks of wages and MERCs for interns who:

Are new to the workforce, changing careers, or unemployed/underemployed and entering a new field;
Are at least 18 years old;
Are legally entitled to work in Canada;
Have not previously participated in a NOHFC internship.

‍

Deadline to Apply

Book a meeting to speak to our grants team for the latest information regarding the next application intake period or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date.

‍

NOHFC -- People & Talent Program

Funding Amount

Eligible Applicants

Eligible Activities

Deadline to Apply

Apply for Funding

88%

93%

Company

Support

Resources