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Take the
hard work out of finding hard workers.

Your business can receive up to $20,000 in financial support and additional resources to hire first-year apprentices through the Apprenticeship Support Project.
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Taking on the Future of Trades

Invest in the future of your business and the future of our workforce by taking on first-year apprentices in one of 39 Red Seal Trades.

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
  • Recieve 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

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.

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.

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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.