Financing Your Skilled Trades Training Is Now Easier
Imperial Skills Academy is proud to partner with Windmill Microlending to help eligible newcomers and internationally trained professionals explore financing for career-focused training in Canada.
Imperial Skills Academy Partners With Windmill Microlending
Windmill Microlending offers low-interest career loans of up to $15,000 to skilled immigrants and refugees in Canada. Loans can help cover education and training program costs, licensing and qualifying exams, credentials assessment, and other career-related expenses.
Access Career Financing
Explore financing connected to an approved Canadian career plan.
Start Training Sooner
Move forward without waiting to save the full training cost first.
Cover More Than Tuition
Eligible expenses may include materials, exams and career costs.
Use Imperial's Referral
Begin through our official Windmill Microlending referral pathway.
Is Windmill Career Financing Right for You?
Windmill Microlending mainly supports newcomers and internationally trained professionals who live in Canada and are working toward a Canadian career.
- You currently live in Canada.
- You have education, skills or work experience from outside Canada.
- You want to begin, rebuild or advance a career in Canada.
- You need approved training, certification or career development.
- You hold an immigration status accepted by Windmill.
- You have a clear training and employment plan.
What Could Windmill Financing Help You Pay For?
Training Fees
Approved tuition connected with your Canadian career plan.
Books & Materials
Required learning materials, supplies or training equipment.
Certification & Exams
Eligible licensing, assessment, certification or examination costs.
Career Development
Approved costs that support your transition into employment.
How to Apply Through Imperial Skills Academy
Explore Your Training
Choose the Imperial program that best supports your career goal.
Speak With Our Team
Get course, tuition, schedule and program information from an advisor.
Check Your Eligibility
Use Imperial's official referral link to complete Windmill's assessment.
Apply With Windmill
Submit your documents and receive a decision directly from Windmill.
Windmill Microlending FAQ
What is Windmill Microlending?
Windmill Microlending is a government-funded Canadian charity that provides affordable career loans to eligible skilled immigrants and refugees. Funding can support career-related education, exams and certification, work equipment and, in some cases, approved living costs.
Who qualifies for Windmill support?
Applicants generally need to be living in Canada and meet Windmill's immigration-status and career-background requirements — permanent residents, eligible provincial nominees, protected persons or convention refugees, and Canadian citizens who immigrated to Canada.
How much funding can you get?
Eligible applicants may borrow from $2,000 up to $15,000, depending on the approved application and career plan.
What costs can funding cover?
Approved funding may cover career-related tuition, certification or licensing exams, exam-preparation courses, work equipment and PPE, course materials, travel required for exams and certain living expenses.
How long does approval take?
The process is generally expected to take up to about 15 business days, depending on how quickly documents and any required meetings are completed.
When does repayment start?
Repayment begins after funds are received, with an interest-only grace-period option while studying and for a short period after school before principal-plus-interest payments begin.
Make Your Education Affordable
0% interest financing for 12 months. Apply online in 5 minutes – no bank visits required.
Complete Application
Apply online through our secure portal in just 5 minutes.
Get Fast Approval
Receive a decision quickly from our streamlined system.
Pay Monthly
Start your training and pay with 0% interest for 12 months.