Skills Advance Ontario Program Guideline Update to Appendix

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (ministry) is providing an update on changes to the Skills Advance Ontario (SAO) program following the approval of Ontario’s 2026-2027 Labour Market Transfer Agreements (LMTA) Annual Plan by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). These updates support the ongoing implementation of the Canada-Ontario Workforce Tariff Response (COWTR) initiative and Ontario’s broader workforce development priorities.

Skills Advance Ontario is a sector-based workforce development program that supports jobseekers and incumbent workers in pursuing meaningful career pathways through sector-focused employment and training services. The program also supports employers in accessing and retaining a skilled workforce that can adapt to evolving labour market demands. Through strategic partnerships between employers and employment and training service providers, SAO helps build workforce resilience and supports Ontario’s response to changing economic conditions.

As part of the approved Annual Plan, the priority sectors eligible under the tariff response framework have been expanded to include the following priority sectors:

• Agriculture:
  • NAICS 111: Crop production
  • NAICS 112: Animal production and aquaculture
  • NAICS 115: Support activities for agriculture and forestry
•  Defence Manufacturing:
  • NAICS 332-335: Fabricated metal product manufacturing to Electrical equipment, appliance and component manufacturing
  • NAICS 336 (excluding 3361, 3362, and 3363): Transportation equipment manufacturing (excluding: motor vehicle manufacturing, motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing, motor vehicle parts manufacturing)

These changes are intended to support Ontario workers and jobseekers affected by trade disruptions, tariffs, and changing economic conditions by connecting them to training and employment opportunities in sectors experiencing strong workforce demand and growth.

Service delivery partners should review the following updated program materials and consider the expanded sector eligibility when developing partnerships, designing projects, and supporting participants through SAO-funded projects.

• Skills Advance Ontario page on the Employment Ontario Partners’ Gateway (EOPG);
• SAO Program Guidelines available through the Central Forms Repository; and
• Skills Advance Ontario webpage

Projects may continue to support employers in addressing workforce needs while supporting workers and jobseekers to:

• Upskill and reskill for in-demand occupations;
• Access sector-focused training opportunities;
• Obtain and retain employment;
• Advance along meaningful career pathways; and
• Respond to labour market changes resulting from tariffs, trade disruptions, and broader economic shifts.

Organizations interested in applying for SAO should:

• Review updated SAO program guidance and eligibility requirements;
• Consider opportunities to support participants in the newly identified priority sectors;
• Engage employers and sector stakeholders to identify workforce needs and training opportunities; and
• Incorporate the updated sector priorities into future SAO project planning and delivery activities.