Ottawa, ON — Additional funding is available for employers looking to hire apprentices. The Canadian Construction Association has partnered with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) to attract Canadians to the skilled trades
According to the CCA, It is estimated that between 2022 and 2026, 122,380 new journeypersons will be required to sustain workforce certification levels across the 50-plus Red Seal trades.
To support getting more people into the skilled trades, the federal government’s Apprenticeship Service program encourages micro, small and medium-sized employers to hire Level 1 apprentices by offering $5,000 grants. Employers may also receive $10,000 if they hire a Level 1 apprentice from an underrepresented group.
Eligible employers include those with 499 or fewer paid employees and those in 39 Red Seal Trades, which can be found on the federal government’s website.
Apprenticeship registrations and completions has been on the decline. In 2020, new registrations in Red Seal trade programs fell by 27 per cent to approximately 44,100, the fewest annual registrations since 2000. The number of program completions saw an even steeper decline, falling by 31 per cent to approximately 20,700 completions, the lowest levels in a decade.
Grants will be available starting in the fall of 2022.