Ottawa is giving a tax break to students who are upgrading skills for their current employment. People who enroll in post-secondary education related to their current jobs will now be able to claim the education tax credit, which covers non-tuition costs such as textbooks.

The credit provides for $400 per month of full-time study and $120 per month of part-time study. Prior to today’s budget, the ETC could not be claimed by students pursuing studies related to their employment.

This measure will apply to the 2004 and subsequent tax years.