OVIN — Regional Future Workforce Program
Highlights
This program is tailor-made for your business, offering up to $500,000 in funding to develop and run initiatives that engage students in the automotive and mobility sector. By participating, you can create programs that reach a minimum of 500 students, at no cost to them, ensuring a future talent pipeline for your industry.
Why apply?
- Significant funding: Up to $500,000 available.
- Broad reach: Engage students from kindergarten to post-secondary.
- Diversity focus: Prioritize underrepresented groups, enhancing your community impact.
- Partnership opportunities: Collaborate with industry and academic institutions.
This funding can help you design, develop, and implement educational programs, covering logistics, marketing, and evaluation. The program is designed to be accessible, with clear guidelines and support from OVIN, making it easier for you to qualify and succeed.
Financing Details
Type of Financing:
- Grant: Receive up to $500,000 in funding to develop and implement educational programs focusing on skills for success in the automotive and mobility industry in Ontario.
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- No repayment required for the grant received.
- No interest rates apply as it is a grant, not a loan.
Eligible Expenses:
- Funding can be used for program design, development, logistics, marketing, and monitoring.
- Expenses can cover staffing, resources, and student engagement activities across different grade levels.
Ineligible Expenses:
- Funds cannot be used for personal expenses or unrelated business costs.
- The grant cannot be used for activities outside the scope of the program's objectives.
Fees:
- No fees associated with the grant program.
- Applicants do not need to pay any charges for applying or receiving the grant.
Qualifications
- Must be an Ontario-based post-secondary education institution, non-profit organization, or elementary/secondary public school or school board.
- Non-profit organizations must have an Ontario-based bank account and run education programs for kindergarten to post-secondary students in Ontario.
- Must partner with at least one organization when developing and implementing the program.
- Industry partners must be automotive and mobility industry members, including Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Tier 1 suppliers, and relevant industry associations.
- Must engage students from underrepresented groups such as women, BIPOC communities, 2SLGBTQ+, people with disabilities, immigrants/refugees/newcomers to Canada, French-speakers, those living in remote areas, and those living in under-served communities.
- Must create programs that engage a minimum of 500 students.
- Must apply for at least 2 audience segments under one program application (Kindergarten to Grade 4, Grade 5 to Grade 9, Grade 10 to Grade 12, Post-secondary).
- Must provide a matching contribution, meaning that one staff member per audience segment targeted has their salary covered by the applicant.
- Program content must be unique for each audience segment served.
Must complete the program by December 15, 2023.
- Disqualifications:
- Volunteers do not qualify as staff members under OVIN’s matching contribution requirement.
Description
This program offers your business up to $500,000 to create and run educational initiatives. These programs will help students from kindergarten to post-secondary gain the skills and knowledge needed for careers in the automotive and mobility industry in Ontario.
Key benefits include:
- Funding up to $500,000 to develop and implement your program.
- Engage at least 500 students at no cost to them.
- Opportunity to focus on STEM and non-STEM skills relevant to the industry.
You must partner with at least one organization and target at least two audience segments. The program must be completed by December 15, 2023. This is a great chance to shape the future workforce while receiving substantial financial support.
Program Steps
Complete an Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI to the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI). This step initiates the application process and indicates your interest in the program.
Consult with an OCI Manager: After submitting the EOI, an OCI Manager will contact you to discuss the opportunity and provide assistance if needed.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documentation to support your application. This includes:
- Business plan
- Financial statements
- Details of the program you intend to develop and implement
- Information about your partners and their roles
- Evidence of experience in developing successful education programs
Develop a Program Proposal: Create a detailed proposal outlining your program. Ensure it includes:
- Program design, development, and implementation plans
- Logistics and administration details
- Marketing, promotion, and outreach strategies
- Plans for program showcase, monitoring, and evaluation
- Specifics on how you will engage students from underrepresented groups
Identify and Secure Partners: Partner with at least one organization. Ensure your partners meet the following criteria:
- Ontario-based
- Relevant to the automotive and mobility industry
- Able to contribute to program development and implementation
Submit Full Application: If your EOI is accepted, complete and submit the full application as invited by the Program Manager. Include all prepared documentation and your detailed program proposal.
Review and Approval: The OCI will review your application to ensure it meets all criteria. This process may involve discussions or requests for additional information.
Funding Agreement: Upon approval, finalize the funding agreement with OCI. Discuss the terms, including the amount of funding and any conditions attached.
Program Implementation: Once the funding is secured, proceed with implementing your program as outlined in your proposal. Ensure all activities align with the program’s objectives and guidelines.
Monitoring and Reporting: Regularly monitor the progress of your program and provide updates to OCI. Submit required reports detailing the outcomes and impact of your program.
By following these steps, you can successfully apply for and implement a program under the Regional Future Workforce Program.
