New Brunswick has announced a $500,000 investment in the province’s food service industry.

The money is aimed at helping businesses offset costs related to onboarding and training new hires.

Restaurateurs, owners and operators can apply for $500 per hire, up to a maximum of five new hires.

“We recognize the pandemic has impacted some sectors to a greater extent than others,” Labour Minister Trevor Holder said in a news release on Tuesday.

“Critical labour shortages have been persistent in the food service industry, and we are committed to being part of the solution by providing financial support to help offset the costs of recruitment, onboarding and training for new employees in this sector.”

Officials say the initiative follows an engagement session between the industry and the province to discuss labour force needs.

The province is working in partnership with Restaurants Canada, a national not-for-profit member-based trade association, which will administer the funding.

“Pandemic-related debt, labour shortages and inflation have put the industry in a crisis,” Richard Alexander, Atlantic vice-president for Restaurants Canada, said in the release.

“This partnership between the Government of New Brunswick and Restaurants Canada will help the industry recover and continue to contribute significantly to employment, the economy and tourism sector in New Brunswick.”

WorkingNB will also work to help organize recruitment events and host virtual and in-person job fairs designed for Restaurant Canada’s members in New Brunswick.