Program directory · Employment and Social Development Canada
Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program
- Department
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- Program code
- BGO13 (HRSD)
- Core responsibility
- Learning, Skills Development and Employment
- In Departmental Plans
- 2018-19 – 2026-27 · New since an earlier plan
What it does
The Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP) helps employers and workers develop and implement solutions to address workforce needs in key economic sectors.
The SWSP funds organizations to deliver projects that focus on a particular sector or priority and provide a range of activities such as training and reskilling workers, helping employers retain and attract a skilled and diverse workforce and other demand-driven workforce solutions and tools.
Source: the department's Program Inventory, via GC InfoBase.
History and lineage
First appears in GC InfoBase's actual spending by program in 2018-19. The data does not record when a program was created; it may be older than its first appearance here, which is limited by the sources (program spending starts in 2010-11, Departmental Plans in 2018-19).
| Program | Relation | Years with data | Actual spending over those years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program | This program | 2018-19 – 2028-29 | $547M |
No earlier or later program in the same department has a similar name.
Significant changes in scope and budget
Detected from the data: renames between plans, programs it appears to replace, merge with or split into (matched by name), year-over-year changes in spending of at least 25% and $5M, or in employees of at least 20% and 25 FTEs, linked budget measures, and results indicators added or dropped.
| Year | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Indicators added: Number of accreditation systems (AS) developed or updated and disseminated; Number of certification systems (CS) developed or updated and disseminated; Number of Forecasting systems (FS) developed or updated and disseminated; Number of Labour Market Information Reports (LMIR) developed or updated and disseminated | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2019-20 | Indicators dropped: Number of accreditation regimes developed or updated; Number of certification systems or programs developed or updated; Number of curricula developed or updated; Number of Labour Market Information reports and forecasting systems developed or updated; Number of Labour Market Information reports and forecasting systems developed or updated; Number of pilot project reports | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2020-21 | Indicators added: Number of users of SIP products. | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2020-21 | Indicators dropped: Number of accreditation systems (AS) developed or updated and disseminated; Number of certification systems (CS) developed or updated and disseminated; Number of Forecasting systems (FS) developed or updated and disseminated; Number of Labour Market Information Reports (LMIR) developed or updated and disseminated; Number of National Occupational Standards (NOS) developed or updated and disseminated | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2020-21 | Spending $19M, against $8.2M in 2019-20 (+132%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2021-22 | Employees (FTEs) 77, against 42 in 2020-21 (+83%). | FTEs (GC InfoBase) |
| 2021-22 | Spending $7.8M, against $19M in 2020-21 (−59%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2022-23 | Indicators added: Number of Canadians who access or participate in training or transition initiatives, including those from underrepresented groups (GBA Plus) | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2022-23 | Indicators dropped: Number of users of SIP products. | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2022-23 | Renamed from “Sectoral Initiatives Program” to “Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program”. | GC InfoBase program names by year |
| 2022-23 | Spending $133M, against $7.8M in 2021-22 (+1608%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2023-24 | Indicators added: Number of participants who participate in training and transition initiatives, including those from equity-deserving groups (GBA Plus) | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2023-24 | Indicators dropped: Number of Canadians who access or participate in training or transition initiatives, including those from underrepresented groups (GBA Plus) | Departmental Results Framework (GC InfoBase) |
| 2023-24 | Spending $357M, against $133M in 2022-23 (+168%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2024-25 | Employees (FTEs) 49, against 93 in 2023-24 (−47%). | FTEs (GC InfoBase) |
| 2024-25 | Spending $16.6M, against $357M in 2023-24 (−95%). | Actual spending (GC InfoBase) |
| 2025-26 | Planned spending $40.3M, against $16.6M in 2024-25 (+143%). | Latest Departmental Plan |
| 2026-27 | Planned spending $88.8M, against $40.3M in 2025-26 (+120%). | Latest Departmental Plan |
| 2028-29 | Planned spending $62.9M, against $86.9M in 2027-28 (−28%). | Latest Departmental Plan |
Success criteria
The program's indicators from its department's Departmental Results Framework: the target set in each year's plan, and the result reported the following year. Source: GC InfoBase.
Historical: targets against results
Number of participants who participate in training and transition initiatives, including those from equity-deserving groups (GBA Plus)
Expected result: Canadian workers participate in training and transition initiatives to get the skills they need to succeed in key sectors
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | ≥ 30,000 | 2024 | 89,546 Program result exceeded anticipated target due to the delivery of SWSP projects under condensed timeframes in the context of the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. | Met |
| 2024-25 | 6,000 including 40% from equity deserving groups | 2025 | 13,982 individuals, including 48% (6,713) individuals from equity-denied groups The program exceeded the anticipated target as several projects were extended beyond their initial end date of March 31, 2024, into 2024-2025. | Met |
Number of Canadians who access or participate in training or transition initiatives, including those from underrepresented groups (GBA Plus)
Expected result: Canadian workers participate in sectoral training and transition initiatives to enhance their skills and employability.
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ≥ 30,000 | 2023 | 23,587 Note: The target of at least 30,000 participants assumed that projects would have a full year of implementation in 2022-23. However, the majority of the 21 SWSP projects from the 2022 call for proposals were launched in December 2022 and have just begun implementing their activities. | Not met |
Number of users of SIP products.
Expected result: Products, including LMI reports and/or forecasting systems, National Occupational Standards, Skills Certification and Accreditation systems, and those resulting from Creative Labour Market Solutions projects (i.e., pilot project reports and/or curricula) are developed/updated, and available to users
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | ≥ 100,000 | 2021 | — A decision was made to reduce reporting burden on recipients by eliminating an annual survey that included data collection for this indicator. In addition, the limited data collected through the survey had been inconsistent and insufficient to permit reliable aggregation as many of the active projects focus on systemic interventions instead of end-user supports. Moving forward, an alternate measu… | No result reported |
| 2021-22 | ≥ 100,000 | 2022 | — A decision was made to reduce reporting burden on recipients by eliminating an annual survey that included data collection for this indicator. Note: as of June 17, 2021, the program was folded into the new Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP). The expected result for the SWSP is Improved supply of skilled workers to match employer demands in key sectors of the economy, and the indicator is… | No result reported |
Number of accreditation systems (AS) developed or updated and disseminated
Expected result: Nationally accepted accreditation systems/ programs; assessment materials, tools; data/reports about uptake and results; and public registry of accreditations, adapted National Occupation Standards or assessment frameworks.
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | ≥ 3 | 2020 | 2 One accreditation system has delayed completion until 2020/2021. | Not met |
Number of certification systems (CS) developed or updated and disseminated
Expected result: Nationally accepted certification system/programs; assessment materials, tools, data/reports about uptake and results, adapted National Occupation Standards and/or assessment blueprints.
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | ≥ 5 | 2020 | 3 Two certification systems have delayed completion until 2020/2021. | Not met |
Number of Forecasting systems (FS) developed or updated and disseminated
Expected result: Credible data with regional breakdowns –where possible, research reports, accurate and timely labour market information analysis, forecasting systems, forecasts, labour market information databases, and user friendly intelligence prepared to post on the Job Bank and other websites.
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | ≥ 10 | 2020 | 7 Several systems were delayed at the end of the year, but preliminary reports were issued and counted under the LMI reports | Not met |
Number of Labour Market Information Reports (LMIR) developed or updated and disseminated
Expected result: Credible data with regional breakdowns –where possible, research reports, accurate and timely labour market information analysis, forecasting systems, forecasts, labour market information databases, and user friendly intelligence prepared to post on the Job Bank and other websites.
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | ≥ 91 | 2020 | 141 | Met |
Number of National Occupational Standards (NOS) developed or updated and disseminated
Expected result: National, consensually built, industry-driven skills and competency profiles/ standards, sometimes -Essential Skills profiles and assessment tools, and occupational language analyses (where needed). Activities and tools to promote use of National Occupation Standards.
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | ≥ 65 | 2019 | 76 | Met |
| 2019-20 | ≥ 32 | 2020 | 14 Several NOS were postponed at the end of the year into 2020/2021. | Not met |
Number of accreditation regimes developed or updated
Expected result: Nationally accepted accreditation systems/ programs; assessment materials, tools; data/reports about uptake and results; and public registry of accreditations, adapted National Occupation Standards or assessment frameworks.
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | ≥ 5 | 2019 | 3 In 2017/18, when the target was set, the program overestimated the number of accreditation systems that would be produced or updated in the 2018-19 fiscal year. | Not met |
Number of certification systems or programs developed or updated
Expected result: Nationally accepted certification system/programs; assessment materials, tools, data/reports about uptake and results, adapted National Occupation Standards and/or assessment blueprints.
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | ≥ 20 | 2019 | 5 In 2017/18 when the target was set, the program estimated based on an average of previous years’ but the new set of projects contained fewer certification projects. Hence, the program overestimated the number of certification systems that would be produced in that fiscal year. | Not met |
Number of Labour Market Information reports and forecasting systems developed or updated
Expected result: Credible data with regional breakdowns –where possible, research reports, accurate and timely labour market information analysis, forecasting systems, forecasts, labour market information databases, and user friendly intelligence prepared to post on the Job Bank and other we
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | ≥ 90 | 2019 | 172 | Met |
Number of Labour Market Information reports and forecasting systems developed or updated
Expected result: Credible data with regional breakdowns –where possible, research reports, accurate and timely labour market information analysis, forecasting systems, forecasts, labour market information databases, and user friendly intelligence prepared to post on the Job Bank and other we
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | ≥ 25 | 2019 | 14 The program overestimated the number of forecasting systems that would be produced or updated in the 2018-2019 fiscal year. | Not met |
Current: the 2026-27 plan's targets
Number of participants who participate in training and transition initiatives, including those from equity-deserving groups (GBA Plus)
Expected result: Canadian workers participate in training and transition initiatives to get the skills they need to succeed in key sectors
Bars: result reported. Dashed line: target.
| Report year | Target | Due | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | ≥ 5,000 | 2027 | — | Planned |
Future goals: targets due after 2026-27
No targets with a later due date.
Spending and employees: planned against actual
Spending
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | $7.2M | $5.2M |
| 2019-20 | $7.1M | $8.2M |
| 2020-21 | $7.1M | $19M |
| 2021-22 | $20M | $7.8M |
| 2022-23 | $362M | $133M |
| 2023-24 | $367M | $357M |
| 2024-25 | $32.4M | $16.6M |
| 2025-26 | $40.3M | — |
| 2026-27 | $88.8M | — |
| 2027-28 | $86.9M* | — |
| 2028-29 | $62.9M* | — |
Employees (FTEs)
Show the numbers
| Fiscal year | Planned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 44 | 47 |
| 2019-20 | 45 | 48 |
| 2020-21 | 45 | 42 |
| 2021-22 | 54 | 77 |
| 2022-23 | 157 | 87 |
| 2023-24 | 161 | 93 |
| 2024-25 | 58 | 49 |
| 2025-26 | 70 | — |
| 2026-27 | 81 | — |
| 2027-28 | 77* | — |
| 2028-29 | 67* | — |
Planned spending, plan by plan
Each row is one year's Departmental Plan and its forecast for the next three fiscal years; read a column down to see how the forecast for one year changed. The last row is what was actually spent. Click an amount for its source. Biggest changes in federal spending plans
| Plan | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 plan | $7,178,976 | $7,178,976 | $7,178,976 | ||||||||
| 2019-20 plan | $7,091,918 | $7,091,918 | $7,091,918 | ||||||||
| 2020-21 plan | $7,074,444 | $7,074,444 | $7,074,444 | ||||||||
| 2021-22 plan | $20,027,861 | $7,141,659 | $7,141,659 | ||||||||
| 2022-23 plan | $362,073,189 | $367,217,876 | $7,124,558 | ||||||||
| 2023-24 plan | $367,275,905 | $7,161,646 | $7,161,646 | ||||||||
| 2024-25 plan | $32,354,359 | $31,252,597 | $31,215,180 | ||||||||
| 2025-26 plan | $40,296,630 | $50,786,967 | $46,000,045 | ||||||||
| 2026-27 plan | $88,843,980 | $86,929,783 | $62,930,160 | ||||||||
| Actual | $5,235,502 | $8,159,163 | $18,969,900 | $7,797,477 | $133,146,595 | $357,246,913 | $16,585,917 |
Actual spending is from Departmental Results Reports and the Public Accounts, as published in GC InfoBase. FTEs are full-time equivalents.
