Apprenticeship Service Program
The Apprenticeship Service supports employers to hire new first-year apprentices in 39 Red Seal trades.
It also helps first-year apprentices get the hands-on work experience they need for a career in the skilled trades.
Offered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Amount
$5,000 for each eligible new first-year apprentice hired; $10,000 if the apprentice hired is from an equity-deserving group
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Employers with 499 or fewer paid employees can receive the financial support.
There are 39 Red Seal trades eligible for financial support:
- Boilermaker
- Bricklayer
- Cabinetmaker
- Carpenter
- Concrete Finisher
- Construction Craft Worker
- Construction Electrician
- Drywall Finisher and Plasterer
- Floorcovering Installer
- Gasfitter - Class A
- Gasfitter - Class B
- Glazier
- Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer)
- Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator)
- Heavy Equipment Operator (Tractor-Loader-Backhoe)
- Industrial Electrician
- Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
- Instrumentation and Control Technician
- Insulator (Heat and Frost)
- Ironworker (Generalist)
- Ironworker (Reinforcing)
- Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental)
- Landscape Horticulturist
- Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)
- Machinist
- Metal Fabricator (Fitter)
- Mobile Crane Operator
- Painter and Decorator
- Plumber
- Powerline Technician
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Roofer
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Sprinkler Fitter
- Steamfitter/Pipefitter
- Tilesetter
- Tool and Die Maker
- Tower Crane Operator
- Welder
Eligible equity-deserving groups
- Women
- Persons with disabilities
- Indigenous people
- Members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities
- Racialized communities
- Newcomers
About the funding
ESDC funds organizations that work with employers in the skilled trades.
The organizations give financial support to small and medium-sized employers to hire first-year apprentices:
- $5,000 for each eligible new first-year apprentice hired
- $10,000 if the apprentice hired is from an equity-deserving group
They also provide other supports to employers to help them take part in apprenticeship.
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AgriScience Program – Projects | Grant, In-Kind Support | Up to $5 million per project and $10 million per applicant over the program's duration (2023 to 2028) | Open |
| Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program | Grant, Loan | AAFC contribution normally not exceeding $1 million per project, generally not more than $5 million over 5 years for each applicant | Open |
| Science and Technology Internship Program: Green Jobs | Grant | No fixed amount | Open |
| Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Business Opportunities | Grant | Up to $500,000 | Open |