Skills Development

Program Information

Program Objective

The Skills Development (SD) program provides unemployed, Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) eligible Nova Scotians, who need to learn additional basic to advanced skills, development training to help them obtain the skills they need to find work in Nova Scotia’s labour market. SD participants should be those who lack marketable skills and need new or additional occupational skills to improve their employment prospects but are otherwise job-ready. Participants receiving support through this program attend training on a full-time basis and training may be approved through public or private training providers.

What does the program provide?

The Skills Development program is a contribution funding program that provides customized levels of non-repayable funding to individuals based on their income and their spouse’s income. Program eligibility and financial contribution amounts will be determined when an individual applies for the SD program. Individuals who participate in the Skills Development program will make a financial contribution towards the cost of their training.

The program offers support for the following through a funding agreement with Employment Nova Scotia (ENS):

  • If you are currently receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits you might be eligible to receive your EI benefits for the remainder of your claim. (Note: the SD Program will not increase the number of weeks you are paid EI benefits.).
  • If you are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, you might be eligible for a weekly living allowance during the time you are in school.
  • Financial assistance may cover all or part of the following costs related to SD program participation - dependent care, tuition, books, disability needs, transportation and accommodation.

Who delivers Skills Development?

Employment Nova Scotia delivers Skills Development and other Employment Benefits and Support Measures in Nova Scotia.

Eligibility Information

Client Eligibility:

  • You are unemployed
  • You are Canadian citizen or permanent resident legally entitled to work in Canada
  • You are a resident of Nova Scotia at the time the completed SD application is received by Employment Nova Scotia (ENS)
  • You are LMDA Eligible. To be LMDA eligible you must meet one of the following:
    • have a current Employment Insurance (EI) claim
    • have had an EI claim that ended in the previous 60 months
    • have received benefits under the EI emergency response benefit within the previous 60 months
    • have been employed with gross insurable earnings of $2000 or higher annually, in at least 5 of the last 10 years.
  • You are otherwise job-ready but lack marketable skills and need new or additional occupational skills to improve your employment prospects

AND

  • You have been fully participating in the labour market and establishing Labour Force Attachment (LFA).
  • If you have been a student, you must have made a clear transition from school to the labour market and have been fully participating in the labour market.

To be attached to the labor force you must have been:

  • actively seeking employment
  • employed full-time
  • maintaining part-time employment while actively seeking full-time employment
  • self-employed

OR

  • a combination of the above

Your months of labour force attachment does not need to be continuous.

When calculating your LFA months, do not include any time for which you voluntarily withdrew or removed yourself from the labour market because of one or more of the following:

  • You were in receipt of EI Special Benefits — maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, or family caregiver benefit.
  • You were not actively seeking employment while unemployed.
  • You were enrolled in an educational institution full-time (including periods of summer employment or part-time employment while enrolled).

Applications must display one of the following to meet minimum LFA requirements:

  • You have been fully participating in the labour market for at least 36 months before you apply.

OR

  • You identify as a member of an underrepresented group in Nova Scotia’s labour market and have been fully participating in the labour market for at least 24 months before you apply. Persons who identify with one or more of the following may be eligible:
    • Indigenous (including but not limited to Mi’kmaq)
    • African Nova Scotians
    • Visible minorities (including persons of African descent)
    • Persons with disabilities (includes individuals living with a physical, cognitive or mental impairment)
    • Recent immigrants (persons who entered Canada within the past five years and are eligible to work in Canada)

Job Search Requirements

  • A valid 3-month job search is expected for most SD applications. A Case Manager at your Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centre is available to support you during your job search and should consider your current skills, education, work experience and transferrable skills.
  • You do not need to complete a job search before applying to the program if:
    • you do not have a high school diploma or equivalent, OR
    • you do not have a certificate, diploma, or degree from a post- secondary training institution.

Training Eligibility:

  • Full time
  • Industry recognized
  • Lead to certificate, diploma or degree
  • Training institutions must be registered, not required to be registered or exempt, in keeping with Private Career Colleges regulations and standards
  • Duration
    • Minimum 5 days
    • Maximum of 3 years per intervention

What else do I need to know?

  • Employment Nova Scotia must approve your application before you begin your training.
  • Employment Nova Scotia's agreement with an individual can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to three years depending on Employment Nova Scotia's local business plan and the participant's Return to Work Action Plan.

Read Skills Development Program Guidelines (PDF).

Application Deadlines

Applications for funding must be received at least two (2) calendar weeks before the regular scheduled course start date. The start date is the date that has been identified by the training institution on the acceptance letter or website. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding.

If the two (2) calendar weeks deadline date falls on a holiday, then the application should be submitted to Employment Nova Scotia no later than 1 business day before that holiday.

The date Employment Nova Scotia receive your completed application is the date when you are considered to have requested assistance. This date is used to determine whether you qualify as a LMDA eligible participant within the time limits noted above. 

Application Information

How do I apply?

Individuals

As part of the application process, it is necessary for you to receive an employment assessment and develop a Return to Work Action Plan with a case manager. The case manager's decision is required before Employment Nova Scotia can assess your application. Please refer to the list of Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centres to find an organization that provides Case Management in your area.

The Employment Assistance Service provider can guide you through your application for financial assistance under the Skills Development Employment Benefit.

Forms

Contact Information