Federal government pledges $247 million for apprenticeships
By Adam Freill
Construction LabourLaunch of the Apprenticeship Service aims to help overcome financial barriers employers face when hiring and training first-year apprentices.
Federal minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, traveled to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s National Apprenticeship Conference in Halifax this week to announce a $247 million investment in employer supports across the country.
(Photo courtesy of Canadian Apprenticeship Forum)
Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA), a national not-for-profit organization collaborating with stakeholders in all regions of Canada, will use $45 million of that funding to administer grants to employers who hire new first-year apprentices in 39 Red Seal trades in an effort to help 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.
Details about how the program works can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/apprentice-service-program.html.
