 | |
Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) - Canada
Sources: Alberta Human Resources & Employment
Alberta was the first province to sign a Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) with the Government of Canada five years ago. The goal of the LMDA is to provide EI (Employment Insurance) recipients with training and support so they can enhance their skills and return to work faster. Under the LMDA, Albertans receiving EI also receive funding for job retraining (Part II benefits), work search, and career planning services from the provincial government. In 2000/01, EI funds of $113 million supported training programs and career services for about 82,000 Albertans.
Maximum Tuition Limits for Occupational Training
Tuition and mandatory fees for Occupational Training are limited at a maximum of $10,000 per EI eligible learner per academic year. Student Association fees are limited to $300 per semester.
Minimum Contribution Expected of EI Learners
EI learners are expected to make a minimum contribution towards the cost of their training.
The minimum contribution is:
$720 for programs of less than five months
$1,350 for programs of five months or longer
Savings greater than these amounts will be used for the financial assessment.
The minimum contribution towards training does not apply to apprentices or clients enrolled in a self-employment training program.
Funding to Cover Exceptional Expenses
Funding to cover exceptional expenses for shelter such as rent, mortgage, and utilities, or travel such as auto insurance and mileage for EI learners may be available upon a review of circumstances. Funding limits are based on the client’s address while they are attending training and are limited to the following:
Effective May 1, 2004, consideration may be given for exceptional expenses but the combined total for additional shelter and/or transportation CANNOT exceed:
$500 per month in Fort McMurray city limits
$200 per month in Calgary or Grande Prairie city limits
$100 per month elsewhere in the province (including Edmonton)
Transportation costs may be considered (within the combined total) on the basis of $0.12/kilometre plus the cost of basic PL/PD insurance.
The following items are not eligible for consideration of exceptional expenses effective May 1, 2004:
Car payments
Spousal support payments
Child support payments
Loan payments (including student loans)
Second residence
Criteria for funding to cover exceptional expenses does not apply to apprentices.
[Top]