Take our money to expand
your Red Seal business.

If your small or medium-sized business hires first-year apprentices, your business can receive up to $20,000. We’ll even assist you during the onboarding process. Invest in your business — with our money and support.
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Take Our Money

and run your Red Seal business. Get up to $20,000 when your small or medium-sized business hires first-year apprentices. We’ll even assist you during the onboarding process. Invest in your business — with our money and support.
Apply Now

Take on the Future of Trades — With Our Money

Take our money and run (your business.) Hire first-year apprentices in one of 39 Red Seal Trades. It'll help retain your employees while bringing in more money.

Are you an employer seeking to hire first-year apprentices or currently have an employee you would like to see enrol in the apprenticeship system?

  • Receive $5,000 for hiring first-year apprentices
  • Receive an additional $5,000 if that apprentice is from an equity deserving group
  • Hire up to two, first-year apprentices per fiscal year for a potential incentive of up to $20,000

Eligibility

Who can access the FPDI Apprenticeship Support Project?

All small and medium-sized employers with 499 or less paid employees.

SMEs can hire up to two, first-year Red Seal apprentices per fiscal year for a potential incentive of $20,000.

How it Works

Financial Support for:

What are the Red Seal Trades?

  • Bricklayer
  • Cabinetmaker
  • Carpenter
  • Gasfitter
  • Glazier
  • Electrician
  • Landscape Horticulturist
  • Machinist
  • Roofer
  • Tilesetter

For the full list of Red Seal trades in Canada visit the Government of Canada's website

"The apprenticeship system is set up in such a wonderful way that it’s just walking through stages, really. You’re going through level 1, 2, 3, 4 and there is instruction on how to do that. Just not a lot of small employers realize it exists."

Teri Urban
Director of People, Safety & Administration at Parkwest Projects Ltd.

"There’s a lot of great apprentices out there that just need that first shot."

Brett Lowe
Electrical Foreman at PowerTec Electric

"The program provides some very good education and learning skills for the apprentices and it allows them to get skills and knowledge of the trade and helps us maintain good quality work and maintain schedules."

Alex MacPherson
Production Manager at Cobra Enterprises

Find Out More

Please contact us if you are an employer wanting more information about the project or if you are a person looking to begin an apprenticeship.

Employer Enquiry
Apprentice Enquiry

Apply Today

Are you an employer that is ready to apply to the apprenticeship support project? If so, please select the button below and fill out an application.

Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an eligible employer hire an apprentice if that person worked for the employer/company before becoming an apprentice?

(eg., they were a general labourer in the company before registering as a first-year apprentice)

Yes — as long as the employee became a first-year Red Seal apprentice after the start of the project, it is acceptable that the apprentice was already employed with the same employer.

Can an eligible employer hire an apprentice if they were already an apprentice, but in a different trade?

Yes — as long as the employee became a first-year Red Seal apprentice after the start of the project, it is acceptable that the apprentice was previously an apprentice in a different trade.

Can an eligible employer hire an apprentice if they apprenticed with a different employer before?

Yes — as long as the employee is not currently employed by another employer at the time the SME employer hired them, and they still qualify as a first-year Red Seal apprentice (did not progress to the next level), it is acceptable to hire an apprentice that was previously apprenticing with another employer.

Can an eligible employer hire an apprentice if they are registered with a union as an apprentice?

Yes — it is acceptable to hire an apprentice if the employee is registered with a union as a first year apprentice, whether or not the union is the official employer and paying the apprentice's salary.

Who receives the financial incentive and additional supports if the union pays the apprentices' salary?

If the employer is the union (paying the apprentice’s salary), and provided that the union meets all the requirements to qualify as a small and medium-sized employer under the Apprenticeship Service program (i.e., must have 499 paid employees or less at the time that it receives the funding) then the union would receive the financial incentive. If the employer is paying the apprentice’s salary, regardless of whether the apprentice is registered by the union, then the employer would receive the financial incentive and additional supports.

When do financial incentives get paid to the small and medium-sized employers?

Financial incentives get paid after the application is processed if the SME meets all eligibility requirements.

Is there someone I can talk to about my application?

Contact us here

Who falls into the equity-deserving groups?

The list of groups where the additional $5,000 applies includes

  • women
  • persons with disabilities
  • Indigenous people
  • members of the LGBTQ2+ communities
  • newcomers, and
  • visible minorities.
I already receive funding from a government grant. Can I still apply for this project?

Yes, this funding is in addition to any current financial incentives your business receives for participating in apprenticeships.

First Peoples Development Inc. supports the development of capabilities within First Nations and assists in addressing training and employment barriers to increase First Nation member’s participation in the labour market. Click here to go back to our main website.