Workplace Skills Initiative

The Workplace Skills Initiative (WSI) finances demonstration projects which respond to a range of skills-related challenges in the Canadian workplace.This initiative improves productivity and positions Canada to effectively compete in the global knowledge-based economy.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible recipients may include:

• businesses and private sector organizations;
• unions;
• not-for-profit* organizations, such as employer and labour associations, sector councils, training organizations;
• public health and educational institutions;
• band, tribal councils, AHRDA holders (Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement holders);
• municipal governments, their corporations or agencies;
• provincial and territorial government boards, commissions and agencies.

Eligible Activities

Eligible Costs

Eligible funding categories include:

• program administration/overhead costs such as wages and benefits, rental of office space, telephones, etc. that are directly related to the project;
• costs associated with developing and testing workplace skills models and HR tools and practices such as internships, mentoring, coop, articling, laddering, upskilling;
• financial assistance may be provided to employers and coordinators to cover the costs of wages and the employer’s share of employment related costs for participants;
• materials and supplies directly related to the success of the project;
• costs associated with printing, translation and dissemination of project reports;
• communications activities, events, and materials including promotional material and activities including awards and rewards, print, web-based and other media;
• professional fees related to legal services, evaluation, financial audit, or for expertise not available in the applicant organization;
• contributions for capital assets such as purchase of computers and other office equipment, furniture and other assets necessary to the project, will normally not exceed $10 000 and will be available for recipients of not-for-profit and small and medium-sized enterprises only; and
• travel within Canada that is directly related to the project activities (allowances must comply with current Treasury Board of Canada travel guidelines):
   http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/tbsimScripts/topic-sujet-list_e.asp?ID=285&view=expand
• equipment including tools (purchases may be allowed where it can be demonstrated to be cost-effective over rental, is necessary for the success of the project proposal, and is dedicated solely for project proposal activities).

Deadline

2010-03-31

Summary

The WSI invites eligible organizations and their partners to develop concept papers that address one of the following priority areas:

• to identify, test, and demonstrate innovation in employee skills development in Canadian workplaces with a view to addressing skills shortages. This could include innovative management and leadership practices; vertical mobility and lateral experiences/opportunities; and/or working with employees to identify and upgrade skills and knowledge. Approved projects will contribute to the body of innovative models that provide Canadian employers with a range of approaches to improving their HR practices and the skills of employees; and
   
• to identify, test and demonstrate innovative approaches to organizational changes to workplace environments that contribute to the improved productivity of Canadian firms. This could include employee engagement and decision making; teaming and/or other collaborative work design processes; management/leadership practices; and/or scheduling or organization of work. Approved projects addressing this priority will form the basis of a body of best practice models contributing to the impact on workplace productivity achieved through organizational changes in management culture, human resource practices and work structure and organization.

Federal contributions under this Call for Proposals must not exceed a maximum of $3 million per year with project completion expected by March 31, 2010.

Submissions:

Please submit your completed application to:

wsi-icmt@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

Enquiries:
As this is a competitive process, HRSDC staff cannot assist organizations in the development of their original concept papers. Technical questions not covered in this package can be submitted via:

E-mail: wsi-icmt@hrsdc-rhdsc.gc.ca

Tel: 613-946-1731

Mail:
Workplace Skills Initiative (WSI) Call for Concept Papers
112 Kent Street
Place de Ville, Tower B, 21st floor
Ottawa, ON K1A OJ9

*Note: "non-profit" also known as nonprofit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

Manitoba Contact(s):
Service Canada Centres
For a complete list of all Service Canada Centres, please visit the Web site or check the government listings in your telephone directory.
Web site: http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/regions/mb.shtml
 

National Contact(s):
See regional contact(s).