The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA), in partnership with the Government of Canada, is leading the Digital Marketing Skills Canada (DMSC) program to meet the increasing demand for skilled digital marketers. This initiative allows marketers to enhance their skills by enrolling in the Chartered Marketer (CM) program at no cost.

The 7-week DMSC CM program covers the same core material as the regular CM program, including proposition development, financial management, campaign creation, and marketing technologies, with additional content focusing on the Agri-Tech and Advanced Manufacturing sectors. Applicants with experience in these sectors will be prioritized.

As part of the program, you will also receive complimentary career coaching, a complementary 1 year CMA membership, and exclusive networking opportunities.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can advance your marketing career and earn the CM designation—the only official marketing designation in Canada, recognized by employers as proof of the skills required for senior roles. 

By applying, you acknowledge that you will be expected to complete the program within 7 weeks due to government funding requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must not have received funding from any previous DMSC program from our partners (Jelly Academy or Growclass).
• Must have 3–12 years of progressive marketing experience across multiple disciplines.
• Strong industry knowledge or experience in Advanced Manufacturing or Agri-Tech is a plus, and such applicants will be given priority. 
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada and fluent in English.
• Must seek full-time, part-time, or contract employment, or career advancement.
• If employed, applicants must have the support of their employer to complete the program and should anticipate potential career growth (e.g., added responsibilities, a new role/title, or at least a 5% salary increase). Please note that the program is intensive and requires a significant time commitment.

Priority Sectors

• Advanced Manufacturing: Automotive, Aerospace, Medical, Machinery, Chemicals, Consumer Goods.
• Agri-Tech: Primary Agriculture, Food Processing, Retail & Wholesale, Foodservice Providers.

Specific Requirements

• Employed Applicants: The employer must be a registered Canadian company and demonstrate career advancement opportunities for the participant.
• Consultants/Solopreneurs: Must be registered in Canada and aligned with target sectors (Agri-Tech, Advanced Manufacturing). Proof of business growth (e.g., increased revenue, expanded market reach) required.
• Founders: Must provide documentation of business growth in one of the target sectors (Agri-Tech, Advanced Manufacturing)

Application Requirements

• Submit a LinkedIn profile and CV, regardless of employment status.
• Provide job references and an unofficial transcript (if applicable).
• Graduates who are unemployed will be expected to actively pursue opportunities in the Agri-Tech and Advanced Manufacturing sectors.
• Receiving funding from Growclass or Jelly Academy disqualifies applicants. If undisclosed prior participation is discovered, the applicant will be required to pay for the Chartered Marketer course if accepted.

After You Apply

• Your application will be reviewed promptly, and you'll be notified if you're approved for the program.
• If you have any questions, contact us at dmsc@thecma.ca.

We're excited to be a part of your journey towards becoming a Chartered Marketer!

Thank you for your submission. We have a high level of interested and deserving applicants, which can result in some difficult decisions. To that end, please note that submission of an application does not guarantee approval. The Canadian Marketing Association reserves the right to decline any application for any reason at our sole discretion. This policy helps us ensure compliance with the intended purpose of this government-funded program, and fairness in our application approval process. We appreciate your understanding.