If your job descriptions live in your head, your policies are a few emails, and every hiring decision starts from scratch, you are not alone. It is a common gap in growing Manitoba businesses. BUMP's HR Strategy Development stream exists for exactly that gap.
What the stream is for
The program describes it as support "for engaging external expertise to assess human resources needs and to develop and implement human resources and workforce training plans." In plain words: it helps you hire outside help to build your HR.
It can reimburse up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum of $25,000. Reaching the maximum takes $50,000 of eligible spending in one program year.
What it lists as eligible
The program names these costs:
- development of policies and procedures
- development of operations manuals
- development of job descriptions
- development of recruitment plans
- other HR activities such as training on performance management and retention practices
It also covers outside help to assess your HR needs, build workforce and HR training plans and support putting them in place, and to develop training material that fits your team.
What does not fit
The program sets limits, and it is better to know them before you plan:
- Work outside the program year. Nothing past 31 March of the year you apply in.
- Travel. The program does not reimburse travel.
- Work that is not HR. Websites, software, marketing and sales strategy are not on the list. If an advisor does other work for you, keep it on separate invoices.
- Coaching, consulting and subscriptions are named as ineligible in the training stream, for development that is not job-related. HR strategy work should be described by what was delivered, such as "job descriptions for 12 roles", not by hours of advice.
The program page does not say whether work started before approval counts. Ask the program before you start anything you plan to claim.
Good invoices make the claim
To be reimbursed you send invoices, matching proof of payment and a final report. The program will not accept partial or estimated payments. The cleanest claims come from work scoped as named deliverables, invoiced as each one is finished, and paid in full.
Where to read more
The full rules are on the official program page: gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/bump.
Talk to People Purpose about the program.
We help Manitoba owners build the HR their teams need: clear roles, fair policies, a hiring plan and a review routine that works. If you are wondering whether BUMP fits your business, book a free twenty-minute call with Rod. You apply in your own name; we help you think it through.
People Purpose is not part of the Building Up Manitoba Program and is not endorsed by the Government of Manitoba. The program decides who qualifies and how much it pays. Program details from gov.mb.ca, checked 6 November 2026, and subject to change.