June 1, 2022
The launch of the Apprenticeship Service stands to help overcome financial barriers employers face to hiring and training first-year apprentices, according to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA).
The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, traveled to the CAF-FCA’s National Apprenticeship Conference in Halifax to announce a $247 million investment in employer supports across the country. CAF-FCA is the recipient of $45 million of that funding to administer grants to employers who hire new first-year apprentices in 39 Red Seal trades. It also helps first-year apprentices get the hands-on work experience they need for a career in the skilled trades.
The financial incentives available to small and medium-sized employers are $5,000 per apprentice per year for a max of two Level 1 apprentices per employer; or $10,000 per apprentice per year for a max of two Level 1 apprentices if the apprentice identifies as being from an under-represented group.
“The federal government’s announcement is a reflection of the critical role of the skilled trades to Canada’s economy,” noted Daviault. “Apprenticeship remains the best way to develop highly skilled trades professionals and these incentives will ensure that a broad pool of talent is available to employers with the expertise to train them.”
CAF-FCA will collaborate with partners at BuildForce Canada, SkillPlan, ApprenticeSearch.com, Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board and the Canadian Construction Association to provide a range of supports, in addition to the grants, to the expert trainers of Canada’s future skilled trades workforce.
For details on how the program works, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/apprentice-service-program.html