Skills
Development
Program
Guidelines
Department of Labour,
Skills and Immigration
Employment Nova Scotia
Version 7.0
June 2024
Contents, program eligibility and requirements are subject to change.
As such, program applicants are encouragd to contact a Nova Scotia
Works Employment Services Centre(s) representative to confirm
program eligibility.
Contents
About the Program .......................................................................................................... 2
About Participant Eligibility .............................................................................................. 2
About Training Eligibility .................................................................................................. 4
Application Requirements ............................................................................................... 6
About Eligible Costs and Financial Assistance ................................................................ 9
Skills Development Accessibility Supports .................................................................... 11
Approval Process .......................................................................................................... 12
Appeal Information ........................................................................................................ 14
Contact Us .................................................................................................................... 14
CONTENTS, PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
AS SUCH, PROGRAM APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT A NOVA SCOTIA
WORKS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CENTRE(S) REPRESENTATIVE TO CONFIRM
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY.
BEFORE YOU CONSIDER APPLYING TO THE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Skills Development Program is accessed by working closely with a Case Manager
at a Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centre. Information about a Centre near
you can be found at [Link]/works.
As this set of guidelines will tell you, the Skills Development Program is for individuals
who cannot find work with their skills or experience. If you have interest in this program,
you are encouraged to contact Nova Scotia Works as soon as possible to explore your
eligibility for the program; it is never too early to do so but it can be too late. To access
the program individuals must develop a Return to Work Action Plan and make an
intensive effort to look for work (job search) with their current skills and experience.
Nova Scotia Works can help guide you through this process well in advance of making
an application to the program to ensure you take the right steps to find work. If you are
unable to find work, they will assist you to determine whether the Skills Development
program will be the right program to assist you. Nova Scotia Works Centre submit your
application to Employment Nova Scotia for assessment and decision regarding its
approval.
About the Program
The Skills Development (SD) program is an employment program that provides financial
assistance to Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) eligible Nova Scotians to help
them obtain the skills training they need to find employment in Nova Scotia’s labour market. It
is designed for those who need to learn additional basic to advanced skills to help them find
sustainable employment.
Eligible participants lack marketable skills and need new or additional occupational skills to
improve their employment prospects but are otherwise job ready. Eligible participants are
those who are unable to find and secure employment with their existing skills. Those
requesting support through this program must attend training on a full-time basis. The training
may be provided through public or private training providers.
About Participant Eligibility
Eligible Participants:
• Must be unemployed.
• Must be job ready but lack marketable skills and need additional occupational skills to
improve their employment prospects.
• Must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Must be residents of Nova Scotia at the time that their completed application for the SD
program is received by Employment Nova Scotia (ENS).
• Must be LMDA eligible. To be LMDA eligible you must meet one of the following:
o have a current Employment Insurance (EI) claim.
o have had an EI claim that ended within the last 60 months.
o have received benefits under the EI emergency response benefit within the
previous 60 months.
o have been employed with gross insurable earnings of $2,000 or higher annually,
in at least 5 of the last 10 years.
• Must meet the definition of insured person as defined by Section 58 of the EI Act
([Link]
• Must be working with a Case Manager at a Nova Scotia Works Employment Services
Centre to complete a Return to Work Action Plan (RTWAP) that identifies a need for
new or additional skills to find employment.
pg. 2
• May be facing a required change in employment or career due to validated medical
reasons.
• Must have been fully participating in the labour market and establishing Labour Force
Attachment (LFA). If you have been a student, you have made a clear transition from
school to the labour market and have been fully participating in the labour market.
Marketable Skills: Unemployed workers who have post-secondary education that resulted in
a diploma, degree, or certificate are assessed as having marketable skills when obtained
within the past five years. Applicants deemed to have marketable skills are not eligible for the
program.
Labour Force Attachment (LFA): 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.
Months of labour force attachment do not need to be continuous. Individuals can have breaks
and still qualify if the total LFA time throughout their employment history meets the minimum
requirement.
When calculating labour force attachment, do not include any time for which the individual
voluntarily withdrew or removed themselves from the labour market as a result of one or more
of the following:
• They were in receipt of EI Special Benefits — maternity, parental, sickness,
compassionate care, or family caregiver benefit.
• They were not actively seeking employment while unemployed.
• They 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.
• 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:
o Indigenous (including but not limited to Mi’kmaq)
o African Nova Scotians
o Visible minorities (including persons of African descent)
pg. 3
o Persons with disabilities (includes individuals living with a physical, cognitive or
mental impairment)
o Recent immigrants (persons who entered Canada within the past five years and
are eligible to work in Canada)
LMDA ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE SEASONALLY UNEMPLOYED
Most seasonally unemployed individuals are not eligible. They have employment that they will
return to when seasonal layoffs are over. Employers have a responsibility to ensure that their
employees have the necessary training to do their jobs and provide them with the training.
The Skills Development program may be used to assist seasonally employed workers during a
period of unemployment in extenuating circumstances only. The training must serve one of the
following purposes:
• Lengthens the period of seasonal employment, thereby decreasing the layoff period.
• Provides skills that lead to year-round employment.
• Provides skills necessary to find alternate work in the off-season.
• Prevents job loss in situations where the job normally held by the worker changes
substantially while the worker is unemployed, and they need new skills to secure a
return to work.
LMDA ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS ON A TEMPORARY LAY-OFF OR LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Individuals who are on a temporary lay-off or who have taken a leave of absence are not
LMDA eligible as they have a return to work date, an attachment to their employer, and
employment to return to after their leave period.
About Training Eligibility
Training that is eligible meets the following:
• Must be full time,
• Must lead to a diploma, certificate, or degree. See Additional Training Eligibility
Information,
• Must link to employment, upon completion,
pg. 4
• Must be linked to an industry with a labour market need in both Nova Scotia and the
local area in which it is intended for the employment to take place,
• Must be industry recognized,
• Must be a minimum of five-days duration,
• Must be a maximum of three-years duration, and
• Must be from a training institution that is a registered training institution in keeping with
Private Career Colleges regulations and standards. Some training programs are not
required to be registered or are exempt.
Your Case Manager at Nova Scotia Works can assist you to determine whether the training
program you are interested in is eligible.
Training that is NOT eligible:
• Language training for new immigrants to Canada.
• Training programs that have the sole purpose of preparing an individual for an
exam/test and do not provide any academic/skills upgrading or new knowledge.
• Training for self-employment.
• Training that does not meet a labour market need in Nova Scotia.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
University Training Programs
• Eligible programs are up to one year long and deliver occupation-specific training that
leads to a degree, certificate, or diploma.
• Eligible applicants are unemployed workers who have previously made the transition
from school to the work force, meet the minimum required Labour Force Attachment,
and are not currently full-time students.
Training Outside of Nova Scotia
Out-of-province training is approved on an exceptional basis only:
• A detailed rationale must be submitted. For example, that the training program is not
offered in Nova Scotia.
pg. 5
• The training must be recognized in Nova Scotia.
• The training must meet the needs of the Nova Scotia labour market.
• Applicants to the Skills Development program are required to attempt to access training
in Nova Scotia when it is available. They must apply for the available training program in
Nova Scotia even if there is a waitlist for the training program before out of province
training can be considered.
Training Outside of Canada
Out-of-country training is approved on an exceptional basis only:
• A detailed rationale must be submitted. For example, that the training program is not
offered in Canada, or the work placement/practicum portion requires participants to be
outside the country.
• The training must be recognized in Canada.
• The training must meet the needs of the Canadian labour market.
Correspondence Courses, Distance Education, Internet-based Education
Correspondence programs, distance education and internet-based education are only
approved on an exceptional basis and for applicants who would have significant difficulty
attending in-person training due to barriers such as a disability or where training is not readily
available (i.e. out of province). All other eligibility criteria must also apply (e.g. must be a full-
time studies program). The program must offer on-going assistance to the student and through
that assistance they also must monitor the student’s progress. The program must also have
timelines for completion (i.e. self-directed programs are not eligible).
Additional criteria apply and should be discussed with a Case Manager at a Nova Scotia
Works Employment Assistance Service Centre and Employment Nova Scotia.
Application Requirements
The applicant must work with a Case Manager at a Nova Scotia Works Employment Services
Centre to complete the application process. Find Nova Scotia Works locations at
[Link]/works/.
pg. 6
STEPS FOR THE APPLICANT
1. Receive an employment needs assessment from their Nova Scotia Works Employment
Services Centre Case Manager.
2. Develop a Return to Work Action Plan with their Case Manager.
3. Receive an assessment from their Case Manager that a skill enhancement program is
necessary to prepare them for employment and a determination of whether the
applicant meets the eligibility criteria for the Skills Development program.
4. Complete a comprehensive job search before applying for Skills Development.
a. A three-month (minimum) job search that is both comprehensive and documented
is mandatory:
− This job search duration allows for a full job search including time to prepare
an updated resume, apply to a variety of sources for openings, receive
responses and follow-up and attend interviews with employers, while
continuously seeking employment opportunities.
− This job search must use all the transferable and marketable skills that the
applicant must make a diligent effort to find work.
− The job search must be undertaken with an up to date and accurate resume.
− As part of the job search the individual must use a variety of methods and
sources to look for work for which they are qualified. Sources and methods
include but should not be limited to responding to job postings in newspapers
or online and approaching employers to discover employment opportunities
that may not be posted.
− The individual should apply for work with a variety of employers for relevant
positions for which they would be qualified.
− Case Managers support the applicant through their job search.
b. Job search exemptions are available to individuals without a high school diploma or
equivalent, and certificate, diploma, or degree from a post- secondary training
institution.
5. Complete comprehensive labour market research activities to identify occupations
where there is a good prospect of obtaining sustainable employment. When applicable,
Labour Market Interviews must be completed with prospective employers to identify if
the proposed training will meet the requirements of the labour market.
6. Make sure that their Case Manager has everything they need to complete an
application well before the application deadline. Incomplete applications are returned
and not assessed for funding.
pg. 7
7. Wait until their training is approved before starting the training or buying items that they
hope to have reimbursed or hope to use as part of their student contribution.
8. If approved, enter into a Contribution Agreement with Employment Nova Scotia.
Speak with a Case Manager at your local Nova Scotia Works Employment Services Centre for
detailed information on application requirements: [Link]/works/
APPLICATION DEADLINE – at least 2 weeks before training start date Applications for funding
• Must be received at least two weeks before the scheduled training program start date,
which is the first date indicated by the training institution’s acceptance letter or website
of the institution to which the student is accepted.
• Must be submitted by the applicant’s Nova Scotia Works Case Manager via the Labour
Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS).
Deadlines are firm
• The date that the completed application is electronically sent to Employment Nova
Scotia by the Case Manager is the date that is used to determine whether an
application is late.
• When the deadline date falls on a holiday, then the application should be received by
Employment Nova Scotia on the business day prior to the holiday. Business days are
Monday to Friday and exclude Saturday and Sunday.
• Applications received after the deadline are not considered for funding.
• Denials of funding applications due to the filing of late applications cannot be appealed.
Participants Who Start Training Prior to Receiving Employment Nova Scotia Approval
• The development of a Return to Work Action Plan (RTWAP) is a requirement of the SD
Program, therefore, individuals who start training prior to developing a RTWAP and
receiving approval from ENS will not be eligible for this program.
pg. 8
• Multi-year programs must be approved prior to starting the first year to be eligible. The
start date for a multi-year program is the start date for year one.
About Eligible Costs and Financial Assistance
All applicants are assessed for financial assistance based on their individual financial situation.
As part of the application process, applicants must supply financial information.
Employment Nova Scotia uses a standard tool to determine individual entitlement needs and
levels of support for eligible costs, called the Payment Calculator. Financial support is not
negotiable. The Payment Calculator determines the amount of financial assistance the
applicant is eligible to receive.
Individuals who participate in Skills Development are normally required to make a financial
contribution towards the cost of their training. The contribution amount is determined by the
Payment Calculator.
ELIGIBLE COSTS
• Approved applicants may receive financial assistance called a living allowance.
• Approved applicants could be eligible for financial assistance for dependent care,
tuition, books, accessibility supports, transportation, and accommodation.
• Individual entitlement needs and levels of support for eligible costs are determined by
the Payment Calculator.
APPLICANT CONTRIBUTIONS
• Applicants are responsible for a minimum of $200 contribution to their tuition costs.
• Computers and other capital cost items including tools of the trade may be considered
as part of the applicant’s contribution to their training when bought after their approval
date only.
• Applicants are responsible for paying transportation costs to commute daily to training
up to 30 km, each way.
• If applicants are in receipt of regular EI benefits, it is expected that applicants will use
those benefits to help cover their expenses.
pg. 9
• Individual levels of contributions for items noted above are determined by the Payment
Calculator.
TUITION LIMIT
• The maximum tuition support available to an applicant is up to $10,000 within a 52-
week period.
• Individual entitlement needs and levels of support for tuition are determined by the
Payment Calculator.
INELIGIBLE COSTS
• Costs such as licensing fees, registration fees, medical tests and certification, driver
abstract or other costs that are required for acceptance into a training program or for
subsequent employment are not eligible.
• Fees charged by an association or regulatory body to enable an individual to be
“registered” or “licensed” are not eligible.
• Computers, except for computers required to support individuals with permanent
disabilities (See Skills Development Accessibility Supports), and other capital cost items
including tools of the trade are not eligible costs but may be considered as part of the
applicant’s contribution to their training.
• Examples of tools of the trade are:
o Culinary items, such as pots, pans, knives
o Tools associated with skills/trades training
o Carpenter tools, such as toolboxes, wrenches, hammers
o Mechanics tools
o Hairdressing tools, such as scissors, brushes, hair dryers
• Expenditures that occur prior to the approval of an agreement are not eligible. These
will not be eligible for reimbursement under any circumstance. These will also not be
considered as part of the client contribution.
pg. 10
TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMMODATION COSTS
• Applicants are responsible for paying transportation costs to commute daily to training
up to 30 km, each way. Distances greater than 30 km each way are an eligible cost and
paid on a per-km basis.
• Travel assistance may be available if it is necessary for a participant to relocate to the
training. This assistance would be paid for one trip each way at the start and end of the
training at a per km rate (less the first 30 km each way). In addition, when it is
necessary for a participant to maintain both a primary and a secondary residence to
attend training, a flat rate accommodation fee may be paid on a weekly basis.
• Individual entitlement needs and levels of support for eligible transportation and
accommodation costs are determined by the Payment Calculator.
Skills Development Accessibility Supports
Students with permanent disabilities pursuing post-secondary education, who are funded
through the Skills Development program, may be eligible for non-repayable assistance for
educational disability related services and/or equipment required to participate in the student’s
program of study.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Individuals who meet all the following criteria can apply for SD Accessibility Supports:
• Currently funded through the Skills Development program with Employment Nova
Scotia to attend a training program.
• A person with a permanent disability has identified barriers/limitations that restrict the
ability to perform the daily activities necessary to participate in their studies.
• In need of equipment and/or services that are directly related to overcoming educational
barriers caused by a disability that may impact the successful completion of their
specific academic training program.
HOW TO APPLY FOR SD ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORTS
Applications are completed by the applicant with assistance from their Nova Scotia Works
Case Managers. The Case Managers will assist individuals with any applicable supporting
documents that are required to support the client’s disability then submit it to ENS.
pg. 11
Application packages received within four-weeks prior to the end of the program of study will
not be assessed or processed by ENS, unless in exceptional circumstances and a Nova Scotia
Works Case Manager will discuss these exceptional circumstances with ENS prior to
submission.
WHAT CAN BE SUPPORTED WITH THIS FUNDING?
SD Accessibility Supports may cover or make a partial contribution towards costs related to the
following:
Assistive Equipment Assistive Services
• Computer • Tutoring
• Assistive Computer Software (e.g. • Note Taker
Dragon Naturally Speaking, Jaws
• Learning Disability Assessment
Screen Reader)
• Learning Strategists
• Assistive Technology (e.g. mouse or
keyboard alternatives, digital • Academic Coaches
recorder) • Specialized Services (e.g. Attendant
• Alternate Format Learning Materials Care for Studies, Readers, Interpreters,
(e.g. Braille products) specialized transportation)
Approval Process
Employment Nova Scotia assesses all complete Skills Development applications that are
received by the application deadline.
Employment Nova Scotia notifies applicants of the decision regarding the application so they
may proceed with their action plan to attend school.
• Notification will be made by telephone, in writing and/or email.
• If approved, funding amounts will also be communicated.
WARNING ABOUT EXPENSES AND INVESTMENTS MADE PRIOR TO APPROVAL
In some cases, the decision from Employment Nova Scotia may not occur before the training
program start date.
pg. 12
• If an applicant chooses to begin their training program before their application for
funding is approved, the applicant assumes the risk in doing so. An application for
funding does not guarantee approval of the application.
• If the applicant’s request for SD support is denied, any investment made by the
applicant is not reimbursed by Employment Nova Scotia.
• Any costs incurred prior to an application being approved are not reimbursed by
Employment Nova Scotia. Only costs which are paid after Employment Nova Scotia
approval can be considered for reimbursement.
• Applicants are not entitled to living allowance, childcare, or transportation during the
period prior to approval. Funding is not provided for expenses already incurred prior to
approvals.
ENTERING INTO A CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Upon approval of a Skills Development application, individuals must enter into a Contribution
Agreement with Employment Nova Scotia. Under this signed agreement:
• Employment Nova Scotia agrees to provide financial assistance directly to the applicant,
based on actual costs, and the results of the Payment Calculator to carry out the agreed
upon activity to help the LMDA eligible participant obtain skills for employment to assist
in their re-entry to employment as identified in their RTWAP.
• Employment Nova Scotia may terminate any obligation to contribute to training costs,
even those costs owing prior to the date of termination.
• Skills Development participants are expected to participate in the training program
diligently and make their best efforts to complete it successfully.
• Skills Development participants must advise Employment Nova Scotia of any changes
that may affect the agreement and be aware of financial implications that may result
from them withdrawing from or being expelled from the training outlined contribution
agreement.
• Skills Development participants must inform Employment Nova Scotia if there is a
change in their financial circumstance.
• Active EI applicants may also fall under Part 1, Section 27.1(1) of the EI Act and may be
disqualified from receiving further Part I benefits once the Section 25 referral has been
terminated.
pg. 13
Appeal Information
An appeal package is sent with each denial letter in case the applicant wishes to appeal a
decision by Employment Nova Scotia.
The following CANNOT be appealed:
• Administrative issues or decisions made by community-based Employment Nova Scotia
funded service providers and their staff (Nova Scotia Works Employment Services
Centres). For example, applicants cannot appeal to Employment Nova Scotia if a Case
Manager has not supported the applicant for Skills Development. Decisions such as this
must be discussed with Nova Scotia Works.
• Decisions that are made related to eligibility for Employment Insurance (EI). For
example, applicants cannot appeal to Employment Nova Scotia to have an EI claim
reinstated or started to qualify for an individual client employment benefit. Decisions
related to EI must be appealed through Service Canada using the federal government
appeal processes.
• Overpayment calculations.
• Termination of agreements.
• Denials due to late applications.
• Level of Funding: The Payment Calculator takes family size, current financial situation,
and cost of living into consideration to calculate a level of support aimed at ensuring that
participants can cover their basic costs of living.
• Support for SD Accessibility Supports (i.e. equipment and services) which are based on
pre-determined flat-rate amounts.
Contact Us
Employment Nova Scotia
Skills and Learning Branch
Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration
General enquiries: 1-877-223-0888
[Link]
pg. 14