Innovator Skills Initiative Offers Tech Businesses Funding to Hire Employees from Underrepresented Groups

The Innovator Skills Initiative, supported by the Province of BC and Innovate BC, is offering BC businesses up to $10,000 to hire new employees from underrepresented groups. The program was designed to help minority groups enter the tech sector in BC, while supporting businesses facing skills shortages.

The Initiative goal is to increase diversity in the tech sector and help B.C.-based businesses fill talent shortages and grow. The program provides grants to employers that are hiring for tech or tech-related roles.

Employers will offer valuable paid work experience to prepare individuals for ongoing employment.  

 Employers can receive:

• A maximum of one grant of up to $10,000 per candidate per company to supplement a new employee’s salary

• Up to 10 grants for 10 different employees per year

Innovate BC will provide employers with links to resources to support them in recruiting, retaining, and developing employees who self-identify as under-represented.

Innovator Skills Initiative funding is available to employers through Innovate BC’s program as well as through partner programs including:

• Mitacs’ Accelerate and Business Strategy Internships

• Information and Communications Technology Council’s (ICTC) Work-Integrated Learning Digital program

Key Dates of Note

Application deadline: March 11, 2022

• Earliest hire date: June 1, 2021

• Latest hire start date: March 15, 2022

• Latest work placement end date: July 15, 2022