Training Sponsorship

Objective

The focus is to meet the needs of the client, in ways appropriate to the clientele as well as in meeting the needs of the labour market. Under the Purchase of Training component, the following types of training can be purchased:

1. Vocational Training:
   Includes training for entry skills and knowledge needed to enter an occupation.
   • Diploma Programs will not be funded.
   • Certificate programs offered through an Ontario College or University will be funded up to a maximum of one year.
   • Certificate programs offered through Registered Private Career Colleges and Privately Funded Degree Granting Programs will not be funded.

Exceptions:

Certificate programs offered through Registered Private Career Colleges and Privately Funded Degree Granting Programs will only be funded if equivalent training cannot be obtained through an Ontario College or University. The LDM will fund private institutions if cost sharing with another organization/department. The LDM will provide a maximum contribution of 50% of the total costs to a maximum of $7,500 or whichever comes first.

2. Skills Upgrading:
   Skills needed to enable workers to perform at a higher level in their present occupation, or to keep the workers abreast of technological changes in their usual occupation or to add new skills that are required in the labour market.
3. Apprenticeships:
   As Apprentices are required to attend related in-school classes in addition to working under the direct supervision of a Journeyman, the M’Chigeeng LDM may provide for the purchase of apprenticeship courses. Apprentices are eligible for the same training allowances as other trainees.

Duration of Training:

The maximum training duration in this program is 52 weeks. Extensions may be approved at the discretion of the ECD Committee pending sufficient justification.

Prior Approvals:

Applicants must receive prior approval before commencing any Training programs.

Client Eligibility

All applicants:

• Must meet Eligibility Requirements of the M’Chigeeng LDM.
• Must be assessed and recommended for the training by the M’Chigeeng LDM Training Development Officer.
• Must not have any outstanding training overpayments with the M’Chigeeng LDM, other LDM’s or HRSDC.
• Must sign a Consent to the Request and Release of Information form for the purpose of checking the above information.
• If applicants should receive prior approval, reimbursements will be given consideration based on the date of application.
• In the event that a client funded through the LDM program has outstanding accounts receivable with the M’Chigeeng First Nation, then the deduction shall be limited to five percent (5%) during the duration of their sponsorship.

Financial Assistance

• All financial assistance rates as stated in the Training and Income Supplements table/guidelines are stated as maximums and will not necessarily be applied. All financial assistance requests shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• The minimum hours of weekly attendance for which training allowances are payable is 20 hours. The maximum hours of weekly attendance for which training allowances are payable is 40 hours.

Required Information

The applicant must provide the following information:

• The name of the training provided
• Start date of the training
• Duration of the training
• Cost of the tuition and other training expenses
• Completed registration forms for the training
• Whether you require travel assistance, training allowance, living away from home allowance and/or child care assistance
• Possible employment prospects

Employers/Sponsors/Family

Employers/sponsors will not be allowed to hire immediate family. Immediate family shall include:

• Spouse
• A parent, grandchild
• A son, daughter, brother or sister

Training & Income Supplements

Training Allowance and Child Care Costs:

1. Participant must be attending training full-time at 25 or more hours per week or part-time at 20 or more hours but less than 25 hours per week.
2. For allowances purposes: A dependent includes a “spouse” who does not earn more than $90.00/week or is not employed or a child who is the natural child or adopted child, whether adopted legally or not, and resides with the participant and is under the participant’s care.
3. Childcare allowance may be paid to a participant when, the participant has one or more eligible dependents requiring supervised care while the participant is attending the training and/or traveling to and from the training site.
4. Travel assistance will be provided to those participants who reside in the satellite communities and must commute to the M’Chigeeng village to attend training. A flat rate of $10.00 will be issued.
5. In the event that several participants commute from the same area, car-pooling will be encouraged.
6. In the event that the participant is unable to travel daily or project site is located at such a distance from place of residence that daily travel is too costly, one travel contribution will be provided at the beginning of training and one at the end of training.
7. Participants who require a bus pass in urban centers to attend training will be issued bus pass assistance.
8. A participant may be eligible for assistance, such as, textbooks, special clothing and other costs associated with the participation of the program. Registration fees may be reimbursed to the participants if requested or if need is determined.

Living Away From Home Allowance Costs:

1. Participant will be considered eligible for this allowance when the duration of the project is:
   1. 20 or more hours per week.
   2. When the project site is located at such a distance from the place of residence that the participant needs (due to necessity, not personal preference) to maintain both a primary residence and a temporary second residence near project site, and is not receiving participant travel expenses.
2. These conditions apply, if the participant provides a residence for dependants or relatives who may or may not be dependents in the usual sense (ie. a spouse who is employed, a parent with a pension).