Frequently Asked Questions about CAPG

CAPGUpdated 2025-08-28

What is the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG)?

CAPG is an employer-driven program that partially reimburses eligible training costs for productivity-focused, instructor-led training aligned to business needs in Alberta.

It is funded by the Government of Canada through the Workforce Development Agreement and administered by Alberta. CAPG replaces the former Canada-Alberta Job Grant (CAJG), which is closed to new applications.

How much funding can an employer receive?

Commonly referenced caps are up to $100,000 per employer per fiscal year, with per-trainee funding of 50% up to $5,000 (employed) or 75% up to $10,000 (unemployed).

Employers pay 100% upfront and request reimbursement after training using the Training Completion form; all decisions and reasonableness of costs are at the Ministry’s sole discretion.

When can training start relative to the application?

Training may start once your application status in the portal shows “Application Received.”

Training that starts before the application is received is typically not reimbursable. Submit at least 30 days before the start where possible.

What counts as eligible training under CAPG?

Eligible training builds productivity in Business Process & Operations, Technical, or Digital & Technological skills and must include interaction with a qualified instructor.

Content must be instructional (directed programming and learning activities), relevant to the job/business, and completed within 52 weeks of the Application Received date. Homework, exams, self-study, and research time do not count as instructional hours.

What training is not eligible?

Leadership/soft-skills, basic safety, conferences, self-paced or pre-recorded courses, coaching/mentorship, and in-house training are generally ineligible.

Post-secondary diplomas/degrees, apprenticeships, business start-up training, and vendor-exclusive training are also typically ineligible.

Which costs are usually eligible vs ineligible?

Eligible: tuition/instructional fees, required software/texts, exam fees, approved travel, and course-required materials; ineligible: wages, business assets, memberships, general supplies, and unrelated student fees.

Report refunds or other funding (e.g., scholarships) as these reduce the reimbursable amount.

Who can apply as an employer and who can be a trainee?

For-profit, non-profit, First Nations or Métis Settlements, and specific rural Crown corporations can apply; trainees must live in Alberta and be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons.

Trainees may be employed (including seasonal/temporarily laid-off) or unemployed/new-hires meeting CAPG criteria. Owners, immediate family members of owners/board, contractors, volunteers, and temporary foreign workers are not eligible trainees.

What are the training provider requirements?

Providers must be third-party, generally Alberta-based, have qualified instructors, and deliver training as a main line of business.

In-house training is not eligible. Out-of-province delivery may be considered if comparable training is not available in Alberta.

How do we apply for CAPG funding?

Register in the CAPG portal, submit the Employer Application with supporting documents, ensure trainees provide consent, then begin training once status is “Application Received.”

After completion, submit the Training Completion form with receipts within 30 days for reimbursement.

What documents are required for a complete application?

Expect employer details (e.g., ACAN, WCB), course outlines and quotes (with per-person rates), training provider info, and trainee details including consent.

Unemployed trainees require an offer letter and proof of unemployment; disclose any conflicts of interest.

How should our quotes and invoices be structured for CAPG?

Provide a clear per-person rate, course name, hours, dates, delivery method, and a concise outline that maps to a CAPG skills category.

Use consistent SKUs and list exam/material/software fees separately. This makes the Ministry review and your own reimbursement package much smoother.

Can one application include both employed and unemployed trainees?

No; submit separate applications if you have a mixed cohort of employed and unemployed trainees.

Also submit separate applications for different courses or different training dates, even for the same cohort.

What if we need to change trainees, courses, dates, or providers after approval?

Email CAPG within 30 days of the earliest approved training start date to request changes.

Trainee replacements must be requested before the approved training start date to remain eligible.

How are EI recipients handled?

Employers must declare if a trainee is receiving EI; trainees on EI must notify their EI case worker.

Keep records of notifications and status for your files.

What WCB and compliance requirements apply?

Employers must provide safe working conditions and carry WCB coverage for trainees, and be in good standing with applicable legislation.

Maintain documentation to show compliance if requested.

What are typical reasons CAPG applications are delayed or declined?

Missing trainee consent, vague course outlines, no per-person rate, unclear hours/dates, or ineligible training content are common issues.

Conflicts of interest not disclosed, or starting training before the application is received, can also cause problems.

What happens if a trainee does not complete the training?

Report non-completion and the reason on the Training Completion form; reimbursement may still occur if the cause was beyond the employer’s control.

Submit completion evidence for all other trainees and ensure your proof of payment documents are complete.

How is reimbursement calculated when there are refunds or other funding?

Refunds and other funding reduce the eligible cost before the CAPG percentage is applied.

Disclose all sources; keep provider credit notes and bank proofs aligned with your final invoice total.

How long do we have to complete training?

Training must finish within 52 weeks of the Application Received date.

Plan cohorts and schedules with buffer time; avoid slipping past the 52-week window.

How do we set up payment and direct deposit for reimbursement?

Submit the Application for Electronic Payment (AEP) form and acceptable bank document to enable direct deposit.

You can still be reimbursed by cheque if preferred, but direct deposit is recommended.

How should we budget to maximize CAPG benefits?

Use per-person pricing and cohort sizes that fit the per-trainee caps; track your year-to-date total against the $100,000 employer cap.

Example (employed trainees): If a course is $2,400 per person, CAPG typically reimburses 50% × $2,400 = $1,200 per trainee (below the $5,000 cap). For 6 trainees: 6 × $1,200 = $7,200 in reimbursement.

Example (unemployed trainees): At $2,400 per person, 75% × $2,400 = $1,800 per trainee (below the $10,000 cap). For 4 trainees: 4 × $1,800 = $7,200.

For mixed cohorts, submit separate applications and calculate each group independently.

Can we use out-of-province providers or delivery?

Only under exceptional circumstances when comparable training is not available in Alberta.

Provide justification and evidence; approvals are case-by-case.

Who do we contact for CAPG support?

Use the CAPG portal email and phone contacts provided by the Government of Alberta.

Phone (Edmonton): 780-638-9424 • Toll-Free (Alberta): 1-855-638-9424 • Email: jobgrant@gov.ab.ca • Website: alberta.ca/CAPG

Have your Application number ready when asking about active files or account changes.

Are your courses CAPG-eligible?

Yes—our instructor-led courses are designed to meet CAPG criteria; final approval is by the Ministry on a per-application basis.

See our CAPG-aligned courses on the CAPG-Eligible page for outlines, hours, delivery, and per-person rates.


Quick checklist for first-time applicants


Sources

Government of Alberta — CAPG Applicant GuidelinesNAIT — CAPG overview & info sessionsConstruction Labour Relations — CAPG replaces CAJGCalgary Construction Association — CAPG caps reminder

Disclaimer: CAPG decisions (eligibility, reimbursable costs, reimbursement amounts) are made by the Ministry. Information on this page is provided for planning only.