The Government of Saskatchewan announced an extension of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS) from March 31, 2021 to June 30, 2021.
The RSTS was launched on June 18, 2020. The program operates as a temporary training subsidy to provide businesses with financial support to train employees as they adjust to the impacts of the pandemic and safely align business activities with the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan. The RSTS reimburses eligible private-sector employers 100 per cent of employee training costs up to a maximum of $10,000 per business.
Employer response to the program has been positive. From program inception to the end of March 2021, more than 1,000 applications and $4 million in RSTS-funded training have been approved.
Funding to support training can help employers adjust to the impacts of the pandemic and safely align business activities with the re-opening phases of Saskatchewan's economy.
The objectives of the RSTS are to:
provide enhanced training support to ensure employers are able to access training to maintain business activities while promoting workplace safety and stimulating competitiveness;
ensure employers are equipped with the skills needed to remain operational and adjust business models; and
prepare employers for the safe re-opening of a social-distancing economy.
The program is operated by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Immigration and Career Training.
To be eligible, employers must be on the Government of Saskatchewan's list of critical public services and allowable businesses during the emergency period, or eligible to resume operations in a confirmed phase of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan.
The list of critical public services and allowable businesses and Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is updated periodically as the provincial economy re-opens. Eligibility for RSTS using this list is assessed as of the application received date or during the eligibility assessment processing period.
Publicly funded organizations such as health regions, post-secondary training institutions, public libraries, municipalities and school divisions are not eligible for RSTS funding.
Temporary Foreign Workers, volunteers, or business owners that are not employees of the business are not eligible.
Applications must be received on or before June 30, 2021.
For more information, employers can visit www.saskatchewan.ca/training-subsidy, call 306-964-1005 for Saskatoon and area or 306-787-4677 for Regina and area, or email cansaskjobgrant@gov.sk.ca.
