Pillar Incentive · Ways to Save
Programs, tax rules and advice that can lower what you spend on training, hiring and tech. Each one links to its official page. You apply yourself, straight with the program. Everything here was checked Oct 17 2026.
Training
May cover up to 75% of approved training for your staff, up to $5,000 per trainee per fiscal year (max $100,000 per employer per fiscal year). You pay the other 25%. Courses, exams, textbooks and training software count. AI and digital-skills courses are listed.
Who: operating in Alberta 1+ year, in good standing, with WCB coverage for the trainees. The trainer has to be an established outside trainer. Wages and consultant services aren’t covered, and that includes Pillar’s work.
How: you apply through the program’s portal, before training starts.
Hiring help
For a summer job for a young person (15 to 30). Private businesses may get up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum wage covered.
Who: private businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees, with a CRA business number and payroll account.
When: open now. Applications run Oct 27 to Dec 3 2026, closing 11:59 pm Pacific Time. Don’t commit to a hire until Service Canada confirms in writing.
For a college or university student on a co-op or internship. May cover up to 50% of wages, up to $5,000 per placement.
Who: a registered Canadian business. The student attends a Canadian post-secondary school (no international students) and the job fits their program. Trades, apprenticeship and clinical healthcare hours don’t count at some partners.
How: you apply to a delivery partner listed on the official page, and get approval before you make the offer.
For hiring Albertans aged 15 to 24. $4,000 for 1 or 2 youth (400+ combined hours) or $7,500 for 3 to 5 youth (750+ combined hours). Paid after the hours are approved. First come, first served.
Who: check the employer rules on the program site before you count on it.
Tax savings
These aren’t applications. They’re claimed on your tax return. This isn’t tax advice, so ask your accountant.
Monthly software subscriptions are usually a regular expense in the year you pay them. New computers and network gear may get a 100% first-year write-off if they’re in use before 2027. One CRA page still calls that a proposed change, so ask your accountant.
If you employ a registered apprentice in a Red Seal trade: 10% of eligible wages in their first two years, up to $2,000 per apprentice per year. Ask your accountant.
The program has ended and payments went out automatically. Ask your accountant whether you received it and whether it was treated as non-taxable.
Advice and referrals
Free one-to-one business guidance for Alberta businesses, plus market research help and digital marketing programs. Some in-person events charge a small fee.
A Government of Alberta referral service that points you to the Alberta government supports that fit your business. Contact form on the page.
Free recruiting help if you’re hiring youth aged 15 to 24. Pairs well with Canada Summer Jobs and the Alberta Youth Employment Incentive.
Loans · you pay these back
These are loans, not savings. Listed so you know they exist.
Loan. Up to $75,000 for a new business, with up to 2 years of mentoring. Extra financing may be available on conditions. Ages 18 to 39.
Loan. Financing for energy upgrades, repaid on your property tax bill. Up to 100% of project cost, max $1M, up to 20 years. For owners of non-residential property. Intake is paused right now.
Coming soon · watch list
Announced, but not open or not law yet. Don’t plan around these until they are.
For hiring a first-year apprentice in a Red Seal trade. The renewal was announced at up to $10,000 toward a first-year salary for some apprentices. The program page says it isn’t accepting applications yet. No launch date.
Proposed in September 2026: an immediate write-off for most depreciable property (not buildings or goodwill) bought on or after Sept 15 2026. It’s draft law, not law yet. Ask your accountant.
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