The Canada Retraining Opportunities Initiative, launched by the Government of Canada, aims to assist working-age adults—especially those experiencing job insecurity—by providing financial support and flexible learning options to pursue new career opportunities. As the labour market changes due to automation, technological disruption, and evolving industry needs, many Canadians face challenges in staying relevant in their current roles. This initiative focuses on helping individuals update their skills or retrain entirely to enter new or in-demand occupations. The initiative encompasses two major components: the Canada Training Benefit, which includes the Canada Training Credit and Employment Insurance (EI) Training Support Benefit. These measures are designed to reduce both financial and time-related barriers to further education. The Canada Training Credit offers annual credits that accumulate over time, allowing eligible Canadians to receive refundable tax credits for training-related costs. The EI Training Support Benefit, once launched, will provide up to four weeks of income support through the EI system, enabling workers to take time off to attend training without sacrificing income. The overall purpose is to create a culture of lifelong learning in Canada by encouraging mid-career workers to continuously upgrade their skills in a changing job market. The program aligns with broader government goals to boost workforce adaptability, economic participation, and job retention across diverse sectors and demographics.
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