COJG is Now OJG

What Ontario Businesses Need to Know

If your business has previously used the Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG) — or you’ve been searching for how to access it — there’s an important update you need to know.

The Ontario government has officially replaced the COJG with a redesigned program called the Ontario Job Grant (OJG). Applications are now open, funding amounts have been maintained, and Ontario small and mid-sized businesses can access up to $10,000 per employee to support employee training.

Here’s everything you need to know about what changed, what stayed the same, and how your business can take advantage

What Was the Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG)?

For more than a decade, the Canada-Ontario Job Grant was one of the most valuable workforce development programs available to Ontario employers. It provided direct financial support for third-party employee training by helping businesses in virtually every sector upskill their teams without bearing the full cost. In the fall of 2025, COJG was paused for a ministerial review.

COJG Has Been Replaced by the Ontario Job Grant (OJG)

Here’s the great news: The Government of Ontario officially launched the Ontario Job Grant (OJG), a redesigned version of the program under a new name. The OJG is now accepting applications on an ongoing basis.

The updated program continues to help Ontario employers offset the cost of training that strengthens employee skills and supports workforce development for both new and existing employees in a changing economy.

The relaunch brings updated guidelines, a streamlined application process, and renewed commitment from the province to support small and mid-sized business growth.

What stays the same: The program covers up to two-thirds of eligible training costs for most employers, with SMBs receiving even greater support. Over the years, thousands of Ontario businesses used COJG funding to train employees in areas like leadership, sales, technology, communications, and more.

What Changed vs. What Stayed the Same

How Much Funding Can Your Business Receive?

The Ontario Job Grant offers flexible funding based on your business size and training scenario:

For businesses with fewer than 100 employees:

Government covers up to 5/6 (83%) of eligible training costs
Up to $10,000 per trainee
Your business contributes just 1/6 of the cost

For businesses with 100 or more employees:

Government covers up to 50% of eligible training costs
Up to $10,000 per trainee

Example: A small business with 30 employees wants to train 5 staff members. With OJG, a $30,000 training program could cost the business as little as $5,000 out of pocket while the government covers the remaining $25,000.

Who Qualifies for the Ontario Job Grant?

Eligible employers include:

Private sector businesses of any size operating in Ontario
Non-profit organizations acting on behalf of employers
Businesses that have been operating for at least one year

Eligible trainees must:

Be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons
Reside in Ontario
Be employed by the applicant employer (or be a confirmed new hire)

What Training is Eligible Under OJG?

The Ontario Job Grant is employer-driven, meaning your business chooses the training that fits your goals. Training must be delivered by an approved third-party provider and must be job-related.

Integram offers a wide range of training programs that are eligible under the program, including:

AI adoption and digital transformation
Leadership development and team management
Sales strategies and customer service
Workplace communication and conflict resolution skills
Brand development and strategic planning
Customized corporate training programs

Important: You must apply and receive approval before training begins. Do not start training while your application is under review.

How Integram Helps Ontario SMBs Navigate OJG

At Integram, we’ve spent more than 34 years helping Ontario small and mid-sized businesses grow — through strategy, employee training, and AI enablement. Our team has guided businesses through government-funding programs, including COJG and now OJG, and we understand what it takes to build a successful application and a successful training outcome.

As your OJG training partner, Integram:

Helps you assess eligibility and identify the right training programs
Provides detailed course outlines, training descriptions, and pricing documentation to support your application
Delivers OJG-eligible training across leadership, AI adoption, sales, strategic planning, communications, and more
Works with your business to maximize the value of every training dollar

Fact: Integram has helped 100+ Ontario small and mid-sized businesses grow. Let us help yours.

Why Now is the Time to Act

The OJG program is now open and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Keep in mind that funding is finite and applications are assessed in the order they are received.

Businesses that act now benefit from:

First-mover advantage while program capacity is fresh
No year-end rush — avoid the backlog that typically builds as applications accumulate
Immediate ROI — trained employees generate results while competitors wait

If your business has been on the sidelines waiting for COJG to return, the wait is over. The Ontario Job Grant is open, the funding is available, and Integram is ready to help you access it.

Ready to Get Started?

The Ontario Job Grant is one of the most accessible and valuable workforce development programs available to Ontario businesses right now. With up to $10,000 per employee and 83% of costs covered for small businesses, the case for acting is clear.

Integram’s team is ready to help you identify the right training programs, prepare your application materials, and deliver results-driven training that makes a real difference.

Frequently Asked Questions About COJG and OJG

What replaced the Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG)?

The Ontario Job Grant (OJG) officially replaced COJG. The Government of Ontario redesigned and relaunched the program under the new name. All new applications should be submitted through the OJG program portal. Consult Integram to get started.

Is COJG still available?

No. COJG was paused in the fall of 2025 and has been replaced by the Ontario Job Grant (OJG). Businesses searching for COJG funding should now apply through the OJG program.

How much funding is available through the Ontario Job Grant?

The OJG provides up to $10,000 per trainee. Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees can have up to 83% of training costs covered by the government. Employers hiring previously unemployed new hires may qualify for up to $15,000 per trainee with no minimum employer contribution.

Who qualifies for the Ontario Job Grant?

Private and non-profit sector employers operating in Ontario for at least one year are eligible. Trainees must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons residing in Ontario. Government agencies and broader public sector organizations are not eligible.

Does the Ontario Job Grant cover AI training?

Yes. AI adoption, digital transformation, and technology training are eligible under OJG when delivered by an approved third-party provider. Integram offers OJG-eligible AI enablement training specifically designed for Ontario small and mid-sized businesses.

How do I apply for the Ontario Job Grant?

Applications are submitted through the OJG Online Application Portal on ontario.ca. You must apply before training begins and include three quotes from three different training providers. Integram helps Ontario SMBs navigate the entire application process, starting with a free consultation.

Can a business apply for OJG more than once?

Yes. Employers may apply multiple times as long as they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Businesses that have not received funding in the past six months are given higher priority in the assessment process.

How long does OJG approval take?

Applications are typically reviewed within four to five weeks of submission. Approval must be received before any training begins.

Your Guide to Attracting and Retaining Clients Online

In today’s marketplace, simply having a current website along with social media channels are not enough to generate traffic and engage your target audience. This is especially true in the digital marketing world, where it’s essential to create a digital sales funnel in order to attract and retain clients.

Create the Funnel

A digital sales funnel is a combination of tactics used to bring traffic to your business’s digital platforms and sustain it well enough to convert it into a loyal client base. Essentially, a funnel is the roadmap you use to drive your digital traffic to your website – the hub of all online purchase/service details – and make a sale or close the deal.

To optimize customer interest and retention, your digital sales funnel needs to accomplish a few key goals:

Grab the person’s attention;
Tell them a captivating story;
Present your offer (that they can’t refuse).

Use a Powerful Plan

Digital marketers typically use the AIDA model when implementing a sales funnel. It’s a handy framework when setting up a plan:

A – Awareness: Get the potential customer’s attention

I – Interest: Pique their interest

D – Desire: Make them want your product

A – Action: Ask them to buy your product

If you want to capitalize on the AIDA model, it is important that your business has an effective sales page or a landing page.

To the general consumer, this web page looks like a

homepage or an additional page to your website –

with specific details on the product or service you’re selling. The landing page is an addendum to the website but isn’t typically accessed through the website. The potential customer may have never visited your site, but they’ve been directed to the landing page from either a digital ad on social media or other tactical methods, such as an eblast or newsletter link. Analytics incorporated into the digital ad directs it to your target audience and potential customer. Voilà, you’re getting in front of a captive audience.

Build It and Drive It

When you’re building the landing page, it should include the following features:

A headline that conveys how your product will make the potential customer’s life better.
A subhead that provides more information as to what you are offering.
A list of features the product offers.
Social proof (or legitimacy) of a product’s benefits; for example, testimonials from clients, third-party statistics on business improvements, etc.
A promise that backs up your product/service. When possible, we suggest an offer with a money-back guarantee.

Get the Leads

Once you’ve created an effective sales page that gives potential customers access, it is equally important that you create a valuable lead magnet. A lead magnet is a marketing term for a free item or service that is given away for the purpose of gathering contact details like emails and phone numbers. Remember, your objective is to build trust – so you’re offering to give up value-added information on goodwill for direct access to a potential client.

The best lead magnets also offer a solution to a problem. An ebooklet/report, webinar or an online mini-course are all valuable lead magnets that not only educate the consumer but also demonstrate your company’s expertise about potential problems – even before a purchase is made.

Let’s take the example of a webinar. This lead magnet allows you to communicate with hundreds of people from around the world, while simultaneously keeping your audience engaged by asking and answering questions. Ultimately, this level of engagement shows your audience that you are invested in your customers’ well-being and, therefore, may convert them into possible customers.

Drive Happiness

Once you’ve converted traffic to a new customer, there’s still one last step in your digital sales funnel process. Create a follow-up email sequence to confirm a customer’s commitment to your business.

It’s a great way to tell the new customer you acknowledge them, but most importantly, to also let them know that they’re valued. In this email, feel free to detail many of the services your business provides in addition to a product/service the customer has purchased to further engage them and coming back for more. A happy customer will continue to use a business that delivers and they trust.

Utilize our 31-years of experience

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