Yes. Applicants with general program related questions are encouraged to contact skillsadvanceontario@ontario.ca.
Topic: Program Overview
When will applicants be advised of the status of their applications?
The ministry anticipates a decision in approximately three to six months after applicants have successfully submitted their application via SP Connect. This response time is subject to change based on the volume of applications received. SAO is accepting applications starting February 27, 2026.
What are the steps prospective applicants should follow?
Prospective applicants should follow the steps below: Review the guidelines to ensure you are eligible to apply. Register for TPON if you haven’t already. Registered organizations will then be able to access the ministry’s Service Provider Connect (SP-Connect) platform, from where they can complete and submit an application
Can applications be considered if they include services that overlap with existing Employment Ontario programs?
Each application is evaluated based on its own merit. Through the evaluation process, potential duplication, overlap, or risks will be identified. Organizations that are eligible to apply to SAO and other Employment Ontario programs (EO), including those with an in-progress application to another EO program, are encouraged to apply to the program that best aligns… Continue reading Can applications be considered if they include services that overlap with existing Employment Ontario programs?
How will successful projects be chosen? How will projects be evaluated?
The ministry retains sole and absolute discretion to decide which eligible applications are selected for SAO program funding. Applicants selected by the ministry for funding will be contacted by the ministry to finalize project activities and a budget to be set out in a TPA. The ministry will assess applications by evaluating against the following… Continue reading How will successful projects be chosen? How will projects be evaluated?
How long are projects expected to last?
Projects are expected to run for 12 months (i.e. the length of one fiscal year A TP recipient may be granted an extension of the term of their TP agreement, to be determined by the ministry on a case-by-case basis. The TP recipient seeking an extension must provide a rationale for the extension and, where… Continue reading How long are projects expected to last?
What is the maximum amount of funding available per project?
There are no maximum or minimum funding amounts.
What is the application process?
The ministry will review submitted applications and assess eligible applications against the program criteria outlined in the Guidelines. The ministry will have sole and absolute discretion to decide which eligible projects are funded. Interested organizations should start by registering on Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON), Ontario’s online application system for grant funding. Registered organizations will then… Continue reading What is the application process?
Who is eligible to participate in an SAO project?
SAO participants must be: A minimum of 18 years old at the time of registration; A resident of Ontario; Legally entitled to work in Canada; An individual on EI, on an EI Work-Sharing agreement, or employed with a company that is directly or indirectly affected by tariffs and global market shifts. (non-EI eligible workers may… Continue reading Who is eligible to participate in an SAO project?
Who is eligible to apply for SAO?
To be eligible to be a Transfer Payment (TP) Recipient, applicants must meet the requirements for either Employer-Led Agreements or Service Provider-Led Agreements and meet all eligibility criteria set out in the Guidelines. Employer-Led Agreements Employers may apply to be TP Recipients, provided that they are in active EI Work-Sharing agreements and/or can demonstrate on… Continue reading Who is eligible to apply for SAO?