Alberta Hiring, Training & Apprenticeship Incentives (2025 Guide)

Alberta offers a robust suite of incentives, tax credits, and grants to help businesses hire, train, and retain employees and apprentices. These programs support workforce growth, skills development, and workplace inclusion, and can be combined with federal incentives to maximize your benefit. This page details the main programs available to Alberta employers and how to claim them.

Alberta Jobs Now Program: Provides grants to employers to offset the cost of hiring and training new workers, including those from underrepresented groups. Employers can receive up to $25,000 per new hire (as of 2025), with higher amounts for persons with disabilities. Funding can be used for salary and training costs.
Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (Federal & Alberta): Employers who hire eligible apprentices in Red Seal trades can claim a non-refundable federal tax credit (10% of wages, up to $2,000 per year per apprentice). Alberta also offers additional supports for apprentices and employers.
Alberta Canada Job Grant: Covers up to two-thirds of training costs for current or new employees (to a maximum of $10,000 per trainee). Employers choose the training provider, and the program supports upgrading skills, certifications, or retraining.
Workplace Inclusion and Accessibility Grants: Targeted grants for hiring underrepresented groups (Indigenous, persons with disabilities, youth, newcomers), including wage subsidies and supports for workplace accessibility improvements.
Other Hiring and Wage Subsidies: Alberta supports a variety of industry-specific hiring grants (e.g., for tech, agriculture, summer students) and may offer additional wage subsidies through sector councils or regional programs. Check for current opportunities.
Stacking with Federal Incentives: Many Alberta programs can be combined with federal wage subsidies (e.g., Canada Summer Jobs, Youth Employment, Indigenous Skills & Employment Training) to maximize employer support.

Modern Alberta business team with apprentices in a training setting

Eligibility & Application Process

Eligible Employers: Most Alberta-registered businesses, non-profits, and select public sector employers may apply. Check specific program rules for sector restrictions or minimum/maximum employee counts.
Eligible Employees: New hires, apprentices in Red Seal trades, existing staff for upskilling, or workers from targeted groups. Positions must generally be located in Alberta.
How to Apply: Most programs require an online application via the Alberta government or designated partner. Some require pre-approval before hiring/training begins. Keep payroll, training invoices, and employment contracts for claims.
Documentation: Maintain detailed records for all subsidized hires, training receipts, apprentice registration, and hours worked. Prepare to submit proof upon request or for audits.
Timing: Many hiring grants have application windows. Review deadlines and plan hiring/training to align with program cycles.

Tip: Employers can often combine provincial and federal wage subsidies, but must avoid double-dipping on the same dollar of wage/training expense. Coordinate claim timing and ensure compliance with all program rules.

Maximizing Alberta & Federal Hiring Incentives

Apply for the Alberta Jobs Now grant for new hires and consider pairing with the Canada Job Grant for training upgrades.
Register eligible apprentices in Red Seal trades to access the federal and Alberta apprenticeship credits and supports.
For hiring youth, students, or underrepresented workers, check Alberta and federal wage subsidy programs. These may be available seasonally or by sector.
Consult your industry association or local economic development office for additional regional grants or pilot projects.
Coordinate with your accountant/tax advisor to ensure all credits are properly claimed on your T2 (corporate tax), T4 (payroll), and grant applications.

Related Alberta Business Tax Credit Guides

Want more? Browse all Alberta business credits →