Ottawa, ON — The Canadian government announces an investment of up to $247 million to offer apprenticeship training opportunities. Funding will be divided among 13 projects which are aimed at small and medium-sized employers.
The funding will come as part of the new Federal Apprenticeship Service. The announcement was made at the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s (CAF) 2022 National Apprenticeship Conference. The goal of the program is to create more than 25,000 new apprenticeship positions across the country.
“About 700,000 skilled trades workers are expected to retire in Canada by 2028. That’s 700,000 good jobs waiting for Canadians,” said Carla Qualtrough, the MP of Delta, B.C. and minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion. “We need Canadians to be able to seize these opportunities and to have the tools, training and resources they need to thrive. Apprenticeships are one of the best ways to do that.”
There are 39 Red Seal trades eligible for financial support. They include,
- Boilermaker
- Gasfitter – Class A
- Gasfitter – Class B
- Plumber
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Sprinkler Fitter
- Steamfitter/Pipefitter
The organizations funded under the Apprenticeship Service will distribute financial incentives to small and medium-sized employers and provide additional support, such as help navigating the apprenticeship system. Additionally, incentives will be doubled for small and medium-sized employers that hire from equity-deserving groups, such as women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people and racialized people.
Additional highlights from the announcement included the funding of over $45 million to the CAF for a project that will provide financial support to small and medium-sized employers to hire 4,000 first-year Red Seal apprentices in the construction and manufacturing trades.