The project will start 4,000 apprentices in Red Seal trades

Canada’s Building Trades Unions have been selected as an intermediary for the Apprenticeship Service Program – a federally-funded program that will help apprentices get started in the skilled trades.

The CBTU will connect first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal Trades with job opportunities with small and medium-sized employers (SMEs) with the goal of hiring 4,000 first-year apprentices including 20 per cent participation from equity-deserving groups over the course of the next two years.

According to a statement from the CBTU, “with the Building Trades vast network of training centres and employers – and world-class apprenticeship programs – we can ensure apprentices can access job opportunities, training and support to not only start an apprenticeship but complete it.”

Through this program, SMEs – employers with less than 500 employees – can receive $5,000 for each first-year apprentice they hire in an eligible Red Seal trade and the incentive is doubled to $10,000 if the apprentice hired is from an equity-deserving group. In addition to financial incentives, employers will be able to access other supports, such as diversity and inclusivity and mental health awareness training making it easier for them to hire first-year apprentices.

The project has started, and will continue to March 31, 2024, in four regions: Eastern Canada, Central Canada, the Prairies, and Western Canada. CBTU has partnered with SkillPlan and SRDC and will work with the CBTU National Advisory Committee to guide the project.