The federal government opened applications for the Workforce Retention and Retraining Program on October 22, 2026. Eligible employers can receive up to $1,000 per participating employee to cover training and administrative costs. Workers facing reduced hours can receive a combination of Employment Insurance benefits through the federal Work Sharing program and additional income for participating in employer provided training.
The program lets businesses adjust how reduced hours are distributed and, in response to tariff disruptions, enter successive Work Sharing agreements covering as much as 152 cumulative weeks. It is open across sectors to businesses adapting, retooling or diversifying and is scheduled to remain in place until March 2028. Organizations already taking part in Work Sharing or receiving the Worker Retention Grant don't need to reapply. Employers should review eligibility and training requirements before planning around the support.