Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy Investments in Training Equipment from 2022 & 2023 Call for Proposals

February 14, 2025

The Investments in Training Equipment funding stream, part of the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, helps unions and training providers improve the quality of training through the purchase of equipment and materials that meet the latest industry standards, or by investing in new technology needed to train workers in the Red Seal trades. These ten projects were assessed and approved through open calls for proposals in 2022 and 2023. Two out of the ten projects relate to the electrical trade.

Projects that received funding under the 2022 call for proposals:

Organization: Local Union 625 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Project title: Electrical Vehicle Training Infrastructure Program
Description: The project will support apprentices in the electrical trades to get access to equipment such as an Electromart charger, a transformer and a concrete base for a charging station so they can progress in their training.
Region: Lakeside, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $51,547

Organization: Operating Engineers Investment Ltd.
Project title: Simulation Innovation for Crane and Heavy Equipment Trades
Description: The project will facilitate the purchase of equipment and materials such simulator crane bundles. The equipment will allow for hardware and software instructor stations to provide apprentices with new and up-to-date training.
Region: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $157,986

Organization: International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 39
Project title: Red Seal Painter and Decorator Training Equipment
Description: The project will help with the purchase of an HV Series hauler and other materials needed to train apprentices in the painter and decorator trade.
Region: Lakeside, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $160,583

Projects that received funding under the 2023 call for proposals:

Organization: Nova Scotia Community College
Project title: Nova Scotia Community College Skilled Trades Equipment Upgrade
Description: This project proposes to purchase various equipment and materials, such as welding machinery, air-cooled mug guns, plasma cutters and a plasma cutting table, which will allow apprentices to get access to new and up-to-date technologies in trades training. 
Region: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $627,031

Organization: Nova Scotia Community College
Project title: Nova Scotia Community College Skilled Trades Equipment Upgrade
Description: The project will facilitate access to trades training using new technologies through the purchase of a process control system with hardware and software for migration for the instrumentation and control technician trade.
Region: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $102,135

Organization: Nova Scotia Community College
Project title: Nova Scotia Community College Skilled Trades Equipment Upgrade
Description: The project will purchase various equipment and materials including an aligner, a backhoe and a steering system and hydrostatic transmission to support apprentices in the heavy-duty equipment technician, truck and transport mechanic, and automotive service technician trades.
Region: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $190,558

Organization: Local Union 625 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Project title: Virtual Reality Training for Electricians
Description: The project will support the purchase of virtual reality equipment (such as tablets, gaming routers, keyboards and virtual reality headsets) that will help construction electrician apprentices get up-to-date training.
Region: Lakeside, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $46,763

Organization: Local 116 International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators
Project title: Heat and Frost Insulators Apprenticeship Expanded Training
Description: The project proposes to purchase equipment and materials for training in the insulator (heat and frost) trade, including Gardner Bully beaders and crimpers, hammer tinners, beam compass pencil holders and duct workstations, to make it easier for Red Seal apprentices to complete their training.
Region: Lakeside, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $18,161

Organization: International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 752
Project title: Skill-Mentor – Empowering Apprentices for Success
Description: The project will support the purchase of a variety of equipment and materials including a steel frame component, a concrete and wall mock-up, and impact wrenches to help apprentices in the ironworker (structural/ornamental) and ironworker (reinforcing) trades progress through their training to become certified.
Region: Lakeside, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $111,033

Organization: United Association Local 56 Plumbers and Pipefitters
Project title: UA Local 56 CAS Grant (Equipment)
Description: The project will facilitate the purchase of equipment and materials (Spydercrane cranes, fit tester devices, ultrasonic particle generator, impact wrenches, grinders, etc.) to provide training to apprentices in the following trades: plumber, steamfitter/pipefitter, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, welder, sprinkler fitter, gasfitter class A, gasfitter class B, oil heat system technician, and instrumentation and control technician.
Region: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Funding amount: $118,714

For more information, visit https://search.open.canada.ca/grants/.

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