Cannabis Retail Employee Training Program - Call for Proposals

Applications for the Cannabis Training Open Call have closed!


The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is launching an open call for proposals, providing interested entities with the opportunity to apply for approval of their proposed cannabis training program in Ontario’s cannabis retail sector.

Through this process, up to two programs, in addition to the existing CannSell program, may be approved by the AGCO Board for a five-year term.

The AGCO is accepting applications until September 1, 2023.

Application Process

To apply, please follow these five steps:

Step 1: Review the guidelines. Before submitting your proposal, please review the application materials available on the portal. The Application Guide will provide all the information required to apply, including key dates, application and training program requirements and evaluation criteria, as well as the selection and approval process.

Step 2: Develop your proposal. Prospective applicants will be asked to complete the Application Package and provide answers on subjects related to the training provider and the training program. Applicants will also be asked to develop a workplan to demonstrate readiness.

Step 3: Submit your proposal by September 1, 2023. When you're ready to submit your proposal, you can do so through this online portal. The workplan, along with completed and signed forms, are able to be uploaded as separate documents on the portal. Please double-check that all the required information has been included in your Application Package before submitting.

Step 4: Wait for a response. The AGCO will carefully assess all information provided. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by the end of November 2023.

Step 5: Announcement of results. The AGCO will communicate the selection of up to two Board-approved training providers. Approved training programs would be expected to launch on April 1, 2024.

In order to be considered, applications must be submitted before 5:00 PM ET on September 1, 2023.

Should you experience any issues with the application portal, please email connect@agco.ca.

Applications for the Cannabis Training Open Call have closed!


The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is launching an open call for proposals, providing interested entities with the opportunity to apply for approval of their proposed cannabis training program in Ontario’s cannabis retail sector.

Through this process, up to two programs, in addition to the existing CannSell program, may be approved by the AGCO Board for a five-year term.

The AGCO is accepting applications until September 1, 2023.

Application Process

To apply, please follow these five steps:

Step 1: Review the guidelines. Before submitting your proposal, please review the application materials available on the portal. The Application Guide will provide all the information required to apply, including key dates, application and training program requirements and evaluation criteria, as well as the selection and approval process.

Step 2: Develop your proposal. Prospective applicants will be asked to complete the Application Package and provide answers on subjects related to the training provider and the training program. Applicants will also be asked to develop a workplan to demonstrate readiness.

Step 3: Submit your proposal by September 1, 2023. When you're ready to submit your proposal, you can do so through this online portal. The workplan, along with completed and signed forms, are able to be uploaded as separate documents on the portal. Please double-check that all the required information has been included in your Application Package before submitting.

Step 4: Wait for a response. The AGCO will carefully assess all information provided. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by the end of November 2023.

Step 5: Announcement of results. The AGCO will communicate the selection of up to two Board-approved training providers. Approved training programs would be expected to launch on April 1, 2024.

In order to be considered, applications must be submitted before 5:00 PM ET on September 1, 2023.

Should you experience any issues with the application portal, please email connect@agco.ca.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Application Requirements

    Q. What are the application requirements and other relevant criteria for applicants?

    A. The call for proposals is open to all organizations interested in offering a mandatory cannabis retail training program in Ontario, with some exceptions. Approval of a program is subject to the Terms and Conditions that outline the expectations and requirements for operating an AGCO Board-approved cannabis training program (see Appendix A in the Application Package: Draft Terms and Conditions).

    To avoid potential conflicts of interest, applicants that are provincially or federally-regulated entities in the cannabis industry, including Retail Operator Licence-holders and federally-licensed cannabis producers, will not be considered. The AGCO will assess all information provided by the applicant. The AGCO may, at its sole and absolute determination, disqualify an applicant’s submission if it is determined that an actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest exists that cannot be mitigated.

    Q. Is previous experience in e-learning required?

    A. Applicants must be able to demonstrate relevant experience in designing and delivering e-learning programs that are informed and guided by educational best practices. While not required, experience developing training related to the safe sale and use of cannabis is considered an asset.

    Q. Is the AGCO providing funding to providers to prepare their applications?

    A. No funding will be made available to applicants through this process, and approved programs do not receive any funding from the AGCO. The provider of an AGCO Board-approved training program will retain all revenue generated from the delivery of their program. Training providers may charge learners a fee no greater than $70.00 CAD +HST to complete the program.

    Applicants are fully responsible for assessing the business viability of this opportunity; the AGCO cannot guarantee or validate revenue generation estimations as a result of Board approval.

    Application Process

    Q. Are there any additional formatting guidelines? For example, length?

    A. All mandatory requirements are laid out in the Application Guide. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must complete and submit the Application Package, which consists of two parts: Application Questions (Part 1) and Appendices (Part 2).

    Q. My proposal will not be ready in time for the deadline. Can I have an extension?

    A. We are not accepting proposals after the posted deadline (September 1, 2023).

    Q. Our organization does not have annual financial statements. Can we use anything else to show financial stability?

    A. Your organization may include any year-end financial reconciliation that you submit to the Canada Revenue Agency for tax purposes.

    Proposal Evaluation

    Q. How will proposals be evaluated?

    A. AGCO staff will review all the submissions and make recommendations based on the proposal’s ability to meet the assessment criteria and objectives outlined in the Application Guide.

    Applications will be scored according to the evaluation criteria outlined in the chart included in the Application Guide. Some questions will be checked for completion and some will be assessed based on the evaluation criteria.

    The AGCO Board maintains full approval authority of the cannabis training program, and the draft Terms and Conditions of that approval.

    Q: When will I know if my proposal has been shortlisted?

    A: Shortlisted applicant(s) will be notified by the end of November 2023. 

    Next steps for shortlisted applicants

    Q: My application has been shortlisted, now what?

    A: If your application is selected to move forward in the application process, you will be required to undergo due diligence background investigations and a financial review, which would include submitting disclosures of information and undergoing interviews. 

    Other

    Q: Is anything changing with the existing AGCO Board approval of the cannabis retail training program, CannSell?

    A: No. The AGCO Board’s approval of CannSell was recently renewed for a five-year term (until March 31, 2028). Through this open call process, up to two additional programs may be approved by the AGCO Board of Directors for a five-year term, in addition to CannSell.

Page last updated: 01 Sep 2023, 05:11 PM