When you watch The Bear, you see a restaurant kitchen driven by adrenaline and heated tempers. Toronto chef John Shin has found a different, more effective approach to developing the leadership skills needed to motivate a kitchen team.
Shin brings years of hands-on experience—more than 16 years with Cactus Club Café across seven locations—but he also recognized that strong leadership requires more than instinct. That insight led him to enroll in the Schulich School of Business program “Developing Executive Presence for Exceptional Leadership.”
Should you take a course to learn new work skills?
Programs like this aren’t only for executives who sit in boardrooms. Shin says the lessons translate directly to the fast-paced environment of a restaurant. “As a chef, it’s important for me to influence a large team,” he explains. “Learning different ways to communicate responsibilities and tasks clearly and effectively gives me an edge in my field.”
Many professionals can benefit from targeted training—PR consultants building digital marketing skills, customer service specialists sharpening data analytics, or frontline managers strengthening communication and team leadership. The economic case for continued learning is strong: Statistics Canada estimates that each additional year of education increases annual earnings by about 8.3%. For someone earning an average salary of $60,000, that roughly equals an extra $5,000 a year.
Certain credentials yield even larger payoffs. For example, some MBA graduates see earnings increases as high as 35%, according to recent research. And broadening the skill set of the workforce—through AI courses, sales training or management programs—can produce measurable gains for the economy.
Cost is a common barrier. The Schulich executive course Shin took exceeded $3,000, but employer and government programs can ease that burden. Wil Leung, Cactus Club Café’s regional director of culinary operations, learned about the Canada-Ontario Jobs Grant (COJG) from a Schulich ExecEd contact. COJG, a federal-provincial initiative, reimburses two-thirds of training costs up to $10,000 per eligible employee; employers pay the remaining third.
“It definitely helps a lot,” Leung says. “Any support from grants or added resources goes a long way in helping our teams access meaningful leadership courses.”
COJG is one example of direct support for short-term training. Beyond management and leadership courses, funding can apply to many subject areas that benefit both employees and employers. For those planning ahead, registered education savings plans (RESPs) can also be a tax-advantaged way to save for future professional development.
If you want to upgrade your skills, several funding options are available across Canada. Read on for a practical guide to federal, provincial, corporate and nonprofit programs that can help cover the cost of training.
Where to find financial support for skills training across Canada
Below are notable programs and grants worth investigating based on your situation and location.
Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students
For people who choose to study full-time, the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students offers up to $525 per month (up to $4,200 per year) for eligible programs at designated schools. Eligibility depends on financial need and household income thresholds, and the grant may be renewed each year while you are enrolled full-time. Note that this program does not apply to residents of Quebec, the Northwest Territories, Yukon or Nunavut. There is a separate grant for students with disabilities that provides up to $2,800 per year for qualifying applicants.
Canada Graduate Scholarships – Masters
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Masters program supports up to 3,000 students annually across disciplines. It targets students pursuing graduate-level research (master’s and doctoral programs) at eligible Canadian institutions. Applicants must be enrolled in programs with a significant research component. Application windows typically open in late August or early September, with a December 1 deadline.
Ontario grant programs
Here are several Ontario-specific programs. If you live outside Ontario, check your provincial or territorial employment website for comparable funding options.
Better Jobs Ontario
Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career) helps Ontarians access training that generally lasts a year or less, including microcredentials. Initially aimed at those laid off or unemployed for six months or longer, the program now also serves gig workers, youth and recipients of social assistance. The program can provide up to $28,000 toward tuition, books and course materials for qualifying applicants.
Ontario Learn and Stay Grant
Launched in 2023, the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant covers upfront tuition for learners in programs such as practical nursing, paramedical training and medical lab technology. Applicants can apply during their studies if they do so at least 60 days prior to program completion. The funding—distributed through Spring 2026—requires recipients to commit to working in an underserviced community in Ontario after graduation.
Ontario Graduate Scholarship
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) is a merit-based provincial award distributed by participating universities according to their ranking criteria. OGS awards vary with the length of continuous enrollment—up to $10,000 for two consecutive terms and $15,000 for three consecutive terms. Many provinces offer equivalent graduate scholarships through their institutions.
Corporate and non-profit funding for school
Beyond government funding, corporations and nonprofits offer scholarships and bursaries to support short-term courses and degree programs. For example, corporate scholarship programs provide grants for young learners and targeted groups, while nonprofit organizations may fund training for people working in the charitable and social sectors. Some national not-for-profits also deliver heavily subsidized training and strong job placement outcomes in areas such as tech sales and digital agriculture.
Want more from your career?
Researching funding options and completing applications takes effort, but employers and industry leaders say the return is worth it. Wil Leung emphasizes that investing in people strengthens the entire organization: “We understand that people are the drivers of our success, and we want to encourage them to take part in education outside our four walls. Not only does it benefit the individual, but when they come back, they become better leaders to everyone else around them.”
Shin echoes that sentiment. “This course helped me understand my leadership style and identify strategies to achieve better results,” he says. For many professionals, that combination of formal training and workplace experience is a practical recipe for career growth.
Read more about careers:
- How to make more money in Canada: 6 side hustle ideas
- Should you change careers and become an investment advisor?
- Common questions from newcomers about working in Canada
- 10 high-paying jobs that don’t require a degree