Digital Marketing Skills Canada Funding Eligibility & Program Guidelines

Last Updated October 15, 2025

Overview

Thank you for your interest in the Digital Marketing Skills Canada (DMSC).

The DMSC is a national initiative dedicated to helping Canadians build the digital marketing capabilities needed to thrive in today’s economy. 

Through flexible, high-impact training, DMSC supports individuals seeking to grow their careers, transition roles, or expand their businesses, particularly within Canada’s priority sectors such as Advanced Manufacturing and Agriculture/Agri-Tech.

DMSC is made possible through the generous support of UpSkill Canada and is delivered in collaboration with leading partners, including the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA), Growclass, and Jelly Academy. Each partner is unique and offers its own tailored programs. Thanks to the funding provided, participants are able to access these programs at no cost.

The purpose of this guide is to ensure all applicants are aware of their eligibility and reporting requirements as set by the funder, Upskill Canada. To meet these requirements and demonstrate the program's impact, we assess participant eligibility at intake and track key outcomes following program completion.

Eligibility and participation requirements have been designed to ensure that individuals selected for this training will apply their digital marketing skills directly on the job or in their business, particularly within Upskill Canada’s priority sectors, such as Advanced Manufacturing and Agriculture/Agri-Tech, as of March 2025. 

General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Intend to apply the skills in their current or future professional role, whether employed, self-employed, or job-seeking.
  • Have not previously participated in any program offered by Palette Skills, including any DMSC program delivered by CMA, Growclass, or Jelly Academy.

  • Have a minimum of three  years of cumulative work or volunteer experience.

  • Demonstrate familiarity or involvement in a priority sector of Advanced Manufacturing and Agriculture/Agri-Tech.

Applicants must clearly explain how they will use digital marketing skills if not currently in a marketing role. Applications lacking clear role-skill alignment may not be accepted.

Required at Intake

All applicants must provide:

  • An up-to-date CV or LinkedIn profile reflecting their most recent employment or business activities in the priority sectors.

  • For business owners: The legal name and registration number of their Canadian entity.
  • For employed applicants: Employer confirmation of the expected outcome (e.g., promotion, expanded responsibilities, salary change) is highly encouraged at the time of intake, but not required.

Sector Eligibility Details

To qualify for the DMSC program, your role or business must have a clear and direct impact on one of the priority sectors identified by our funder, Upskill Canada. Eligibility is assessed not only based on your industry but also on your function within it. Strong ties to the following sectors—through your employment, business activities, or demonstrated expertise—are essential to confirm your alignment with program goals. 

Digital technologies within the priority sectors may include: AI, robotics, sensors, GPS/GIS, IoT, and automation.

Advanced Manufacturing

Defined by the integration of technologies like automation, AI, and 3D printing to enhance production. Other characteristics include

  • Industry 3.0 or 4.0 technologies: robotics, digital twins, IIoT, cloud-based monitoring
  • Computer-controlled machinery, CNC systems, and smart fabrication
  • Additive manufacturing (3D printing) or advanced prototyping
  • AI-enabled quality assurance, predictive maintenance, or production optimization
  • Sustainable, low-waste, or circular manufacturing methods
  • Medical device or custom product manufacturing using automation or intelligent systems
  • Software or consulting firms serving manufacturing operations 
  • Specialized marketing or support services targeting advanced manufacturing clients

Agriculture/Agri-Tech

Includes technologies and roles that apply innovation to enhance the agri-food value chain, including:

  • Precision agriculture technologies (e.g., drones, remote sensing, farm management platforms)
  • Automation and robotics for crop/livestock management or harvesting
  • Agri-food processing innovations and equipment design
  • Smart irrigation, nutrient optimization, or controlled environment agriculture
    Supply chain modernization for agri-food logistics and traceability
  • Software, consulting, or service providers dedicated to agriculture or food production
  • Sustainable agriculture and food system resilience initiatives
  • Marketing, logistics, or data services explicitly positioned within AgTech or agrifood

Primary input suppliers (e.g., seed, fertilizer, feed, livestock genetics) that integrate or support advanced technologies or sustainable practices

Eligibility Based on Employment Status

All participants must demonstrate a clear connection between their current or intended role and the application of digital marketing skills in a way that supports one of the program’s priority sectors. Participation in the DMSC program comes with the expectation that individuals will “level up” by applying the skills learned in their workplace or business and be prepared to report on a measurable outcome post-training.

A. Employed (Full-Time or Part-Time)

To be eligible:

  • Must be currently employed by a Canada-registered company operating in a priority sector
  • Must show intent and capacity to apply digital marketing skills to expand their scope of work

Expected Post-Training Outcomes Include:

  • Promotion or change in job title
  • Minimum 5% salary increase
  • Expanded job responsibilities involving marketing or marketing adjacent responsibilities
  • Transition from part-time or contract to full-time status

Acceptable Proof (Post-Training):

  • Employer letter or email confirming changes
  • Updated LinkedIn profile (with before/after screenshots)
  • Pay stub comparison (pre- and post-program)

Note:Employer documentation confirming anticipated changes is encouraged at the time of intake to support eligibility.

B. Unemployed at Intake

To be eligible:

  • Must have relevant prior experience or sector familiarity
  • Must demonstrate a clear intent to apply digital marketing skills in a future job within a priority sector

Expected Post-Training Outcomes Include:

  • Securing a full-time, part-time, contract-based job, or internship in a marketing-related capacity

Acceptable Proof (Post-Training):

  • Offer letter or email from an employer
  • Updated LinkedIn work history

Note: DMSC program spots are limited for unemployed individuals. Priority will be given to applicants who can demonstrate prior experience in a priority sector or a high likelihood of securing employment within that sector. Providing clear evidence of sector familiarity or strong job prospects will strengthen your application.

C. Consultants, Freelancers, Solopreneurs, and Founders

To be eligible:

  • Must be registered to a Canadian entity operating in one of the priority sectors (possess a CRA Business # or GST/HST #). Must be able to demonstrate the business's sector alignment to support the priority sectors through documentation (e.g., website, client list, business registration)

Expected Post-Training Outcomes Include:

  • Increased business revenue
  • Market expansion or new client contracts
  • Enhanced service offerings tied to digital marketing
  • Increased marketing metrics (website traffic, social media following, etc.)

Acceptable Proof (Post-Training):

  • Business performance metrics
  • Signed client contracts
  • Screenshots showing growth (e.g., analytics, sales reports)

Important:All participants, regardless of employment status, must be prepared to demonstrate how the DMSC training led to tangible career or business outcomes.

Outcome Reporting (Post-Training)

As a condition of participation in the DMSC program, all individuals must be willing to report on a tangible outcome resulting from their training. These outcomes help demonstrate the program's impact and are required by our funder, Upskill Canada. The type of outcome expected depends on your employment status at the time of intake, and all participants should be prepared to submit acceptable proof following program completion.

Status at Intake
Expected Positive Outcomes
Acceptable Proof
Unemployed
Job offer (full-time, part-time, contract); internship or placement
Offer letter or employer email; LinkedIn profile update
Underemployed
Transition to full-time or permanent role; promotion or title change; 5%+ salary raise; expanded scope of work
Employer letter, updated LinkedIn profile, pay stub comparison
Employed (FT or PT)
Internal promotion; new title; 5%+ raise; broadened responsibilities
Employer confirmation; LinkedIn profile updates (before/after); pay stubs
Consultants / Freelancers / Founders
Revenue growth; market expansion; new clients/contracts
Business metrics (e.g., web traffic); client list; sales/contracts screenshots

Highlights from Our Privacy Policy:

To review our full privacy policy, click here.

‍The Digital Marketing Skills Canada (DMSC) program is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of all applicants and participants in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other applicable federal and provincial privacy laws.

Collection and Use of Information

By applying to and participating in the DMSC program, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information solely for the purpose of administering the program. This includes determining eligibility, supporting training delivery, conducting post-training follow-ups, and reporting anonymized or aggregated results to our funder, Upskill Canada.

Data Handling and Storage

All information collected is stored securely and only accessed by authorized personnel involved in program delivery, assessment, or reporting. Your data will not be sold, rented, or shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

Retention and Deletion

Personal information will be retained only as long as necessary to fulfill reporting obligations to the funder and comply with recordkeeping requirements. After this period, your information will be securely deleted or anonymized.

Your Rights

You have the right to access, correct, or withdraw your personal information at any time, subject to legal or contractual limitations. To make a request or inquire further about our privacy practices, please contact zburns@thecma.ca

All appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with program guidelines and funder requirements.

Contact & Resources

Visit www.dmsctraining.ca or contact the DMSC team for further details: dmsc@thecma.ca