December 5, 2022 – With nearly $15 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service, the Christian Labour Association of Canada launched a national program that will provide Canadian employers up to $10,000 to hire a new first-year apprentice.

Known as CASP (CLAC Apprenticeship Support Program), the program seeks to increase the number of individuals entering and completing the apprenticeship pathway to become journeymen “and gain rewarding careers in the skilled trades”.

CASP will provide financial incentives to employers who hire first-year apprentices in 39 eligible construction and manufacturing Red Seal trades. In addition to funding, participating employers will receive assistance with recruiting, onboarding, and retaining apprentices, including training on creating inclusive workplaces through front-line supervisors and workplace leaders.

Employers can receive $5000 for hiring a new first-year apprentice, with an additional $5000 when the apprentice self-identifies as being a member of one of the following under-represented groups: women, Indigenous people, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, or LGBTQ2+.

Each employer can access funding for two apprentices per fiscal year, for a total of four apprentices over the life of the program, which runs until March 2024.

The funding is specifically targeted to small- and medium-sized employers (fewer than 500 employees). The employer must sign a CASP agreement prior to registering the apprentice to access the funding.