NSAA Administering New Canadian Apprenticeship Service for Atlantic Provinces

EIN NSAA Logo

September 1, 2022

The Canadian Apprenticeship Service (CAS) is a new Federal initiative where Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with 499 or less employees may be eligible to receive funding for hiring new, first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades in the construction and industrial/manufacturing sectors. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency is administering the program for the four Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).

CAS will enable further consistency in the apprenticeship systems across the Atlantic Region building on the rapid growth of the skilled trades sector. Additional supports will be provided to participating employers to create safe, healthy, and inclusive workplaces.

Financial Incentive

A financial incentive in the amount of $5,000 will be provided to eligible employers when they hire new first-year apprentices in one or more of the 39 construction and/or manufacturing Red Seal trades. The incentive is a one-time payment per new first-year apprentice. Employers do not need to apply for funding; eligibility will be assessed upon completion of an approved apprenticeship agreement

An additional $5,000 will be issued if the apprentice voluntarily attests to being from at least one of the following equity-deserving groups. The apprentice is encouraged to identify all that are applicable:

  • Women,
  • Indigenous peoples,
  • Newcomers,
  • Persons with disabilities,
  • Visible minorities, and
  • 2SLGBTQ+

The employer may be eligible to receive financial incentives for hiring a maximum of two new first-year apprentices per fiscal year, to a maximum financial incentive of $20,000.

Construction and Manufacturing Red Seal trades

Construction

Manufacturing

Boilermaker

Boilermaker

Sheet Metal Worker

Sheet Metal Worker

Welder

Welder

Steamfitter/Pipefitter

Steamfitter/Pipefitter

Refrigeration and AC Mechanic

Refrigeration and AC Mechanic

Construction Electrician

Cabinetmaker

Plumber

Instrumentation and Control Technician

Painter and Decorator

Machinist

Landscape Horticulturist

Tool and Die Maker

Roofer

Metal Fabricator (Fitter)

Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)

Industrial Electrician

Glazier

Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)

Sprinkler Fitter

 

Insulator (Heat and Frost)

 

Gasfitter A

 

Gasfitter B

 

HEO Dozer

 

HEO Excavator

 

HEO TLB

 

Mobile Crane Operator

 

Construction Craft Worker

 

Drywall Finisher and Plasterer

 

Concrete Finisher

 

Tile Setter

 

Floorcovering Installer

 

Tower Crane Operator

 

Powerline Technician

 

Carpenter

 

Bricklayer

 

Ironworker Generalist

 

Ironworker Reinforcing

 

Ironworker S/O

 

 

Nova Scotia’s Apprenticeship START program

The CAS program complements Nova Scotia’s Apprenticeship START program, which also provides employer incentives for hiring and progressing apprentices, including added incentives for hiring individuals from under-represented groups. Employers in Nova Scotia are eligible for blended funding through both programs. The CAS program in Nova Scotia will be branded as Apprenticeship START Plus.

For questions, email Apprenticeshipstart@novascotia.ca

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Capital Constraints in Owner-Operated Trade Businesses – When Owning the Building Quietly Limits Growth 

    Capital Constraints in Owner-Operated Trade Businesses – When Owning the Building Quietly Limits Growth 

    For many contractor-owned businesses, growth starts to feel harder than it should. The work is there. Customers are steady. Crews are busy. Yet when owners look to expand, invest, or create breathing room, capital often feels tighter than expected. In many cases, the issue is not operations or demand. It is a real estate decision made years… Read More…

  • What 2025 Revealed About Canada’s Electrical Industry

    What 2025 Revealed About Canada’s Electrical Industry

    December 16, 2025 By Carol McGlogan, President & CEO, Electro-Federation Canada The past year required Canada’s electrical industry to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. In 2025, businesses across the value chain navigated shifting trade conditions, evolving policy landscapes, and growing expectations tied to electrification and infrastructure expansion. Trade uncertainty introduced new complexity. Organizations reassessed Read More…

  • Considerations for EV Charging Installation and Site Preparation

    Considerations for EV Charging Installation and Site Preparation

    December 15, 2025 By Blake Marchand As part of our recent discussion with LEDVANCE EVSE Product Manager, Erich Bockley, he emphasized the importance of site preparation Site preparation can be the most complicated part of the project, Bockley emphasized, a lot needs to be considered before the installation work begins. Many public charging applications will Read More…

  • Ontario’s Multi-Family Component Leads Residential Sector Increases in October Building Permits

    Ontario’s Multi-Family Component Leads Residential Sector Increases in October Building Permits

    December 15, 2025 In October, the total value of building permits issued in Canada rose $1.8 billion (+14.9%) to $13.8 billion. The increase in construction intentions was led by the residential sector (+$1.1 billion). An increase was also observed in the non-residential sector (+$702.8 million). On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in Read More…


Changing Scene