On this page

• Objective of this funding opportunity
• Funding priorities
• Glossary

Objective of this funding opportunity

This funding opportunity aims to improve the quality of training of pre-apprentices and apprentices in Red Seal trades. It will fund projects that demonstrate a need for training equipment or materials that meet industry standards or invest in new technology to train pre-apprentices and apprentices in the Red Seal trades.

Eligible organizations can submit more than one application, however:

• they can receive up to a total of $5,000,000 per organization per fiscal year
• priority will be given to other organizations before an organization receives funding more than once per fiscal year

Funding priorities

We may give priority to projects that:

• are submitted by unions representing workers in the Red Seal trades or organizations managing training trust funds for unions representing workers in the Red Seal trades, for example:
  • a joint training fund set up by a union, or
  • a union and an employer association
• purchase equipment and materials that support the development of environmental skills for pre-apprentices and apprentices in Red Seal trades
• support the training of pre-apprentices and apprentices in one of 30 Red Seal trades linked to the residential construction sector
• have activities supporting projects in a variety of regions (except Quebec), including projects with activities taking place in remote locations
• support current and emerging Government of Canada priorities (as these may change over time, please visit this page regularly to stay updated on current priorities)

Glossary

Here is a list of key terms used within this applicant guide.

Cash Contribution

Amount of money provided by either the organization or by an external contributor such as a partner or other government entity (provincial, territorial, or municipal). The organization must secure the amount of money to pay for eligible equipment or material costs during the life of the project. In-kind contributions are not eligible under this funding process. The organization is responsible for keeping a trail of the cash contribution received and expenditures made with it.

Continuous intake

A continuous intake is a call for proposals with no closing date where applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. A continuous intake will:

• span multiple fiscal years
• allow for organizations to apply every fiscal year

Environmental Skills

Environmental skills are defined as skills, competencies, and experience related to standards, practices, and technology within the skilled trades that:

• support a transition to a clean economy, and
• support efforts to reduce environmental impacts

Examples of environmental skills are:

• skills to install and maintain geo-thermal piping systems, for example:
  • heat pumps
• skills to install and maintain renewable energy systems, for example:
  • photovoltaic
  • solar thermal
• skills to install and maintain electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure
• skills to recycle and dispose of environmentally sensitive materials
• skills to install or retrofit buildings with high-efficiency lighting technologies
• skills to install or retrofit buildings with high-efficiency isolation, including mechanical insulation
• skills to install and maintain energy-efficient mechanical systems, for example:
  • heating
  • cooling
  • ventilation
  • air conditioning
• skills to reduce industrial emissions. This could include new components in pollution control devices and systems:
  • fabricating
  • constructing
  • erecting
  • installing
  • maintaining
  • repairing

Fiscal year

The Canadian government's fiscal year starts on April 1st and ends on March 31st of the following year.

Limited access to infrastructure

A lack of access to resources and facilities that may limit employment and apprenticeship opportunities in the trades.

Limited partnership opportunities

A situation where establishing partnerships can be more difficult. This could happen because of:

• a limited number of employers and training institutions
• agreement holders competing for available partners

Remote and isolated regions can have limited presence of partners such as:

• large/major industries
• colleges or polytechnics
• non-governmental organizations

Organization managing training trust funds for a union or training funds

A non-profit organization that is established primarily for the benefit of organized labour. The organization is:

• established to provide occupational training to members of a local union
• jointly managed by unions and employers
• established by multi-employer collective agreements

Red Seal Trades

A trade that has been designated by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) for inclusion in the Interprovincial Standards Program. The training and certification are based on a national occupational standard, and participating provinces and territories are permitted to affix a Red Seal to the certificates of candidates who meet the standard.

There are 54 Red Seal Trades. The 30 Red Seal trades that support residential construction are denoted by an asterisk (*).

List of 54 Red Seal Trades

• Agricultural Equipment Technician
• Appliance Service Technician
• Auto Body and Collision Technician
• Automotive Refinishing Technician
• Automotive Service Technician
• Baker
• Boilermaker
• Bricklayer*
• Cabinetmaker*
• Carpenter*
• Concrete Finisher*
• Construction Craft Worker*
• Construction Electrician*
• Cook
• Drywall Finisher and Plasterer*
• Floorcovering Installer*
• Gasfitter Class A*
• Gasfitter Class B*
• Glazier*
• Hairstylist
• Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
• 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 Horticulturalist
• Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)*
• Machinist
• Metal Fabricator (Fitter)
• Mobile Crane Operator*
• Motorcycle Technician
• Oil Heat System Technician*
• Painter and Decorator*
• Parts Technician
• Plumber*
• Powerline Technician
• Recreation Vehicle Service Technician
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic*
• Roofer*
• Sheet Metal Worker*
• Sprinkler Fitter*
• Steamfitter/Pipefitter*
• Tilesetter*
• Tool and Die Maker
• Tower Crane Operator*
• Transport Trailer Technician
• Truck and Transport Mechanic
• Welder

Remote Location

A geographical area where a community is located over 350 km from the nearest service centre that has year-round road access. This could include geographical areas that have scheduled flights and good telephone services but are without year-round road access. For example:

• small population, defined as an area with a population less than 1,000 or population density of less than 400 persons per square kilometer
• limited access to urban centres and training facilities, defined as areas without year-round road access
• on a reserve

Training equipment and materials

Training equipment must be for long-term use, such as:

• crane simulators
• advanced welding technology
• geothermal training systems
• milling/bevelling guns
• electric hoists

Training materials are for short-term use. They are transformed during the process. Pre-apprentices and apprentices can use training materials to practice on during training. An example is sheet metal to practice welding.

Training equipment and materials must meet industry standards applicable to the job site. Used equipment is not eligible, but refurbished equipment that aligns with industry standards is eligible.

Training provider

An educational institution that individuals attend to complete technical training that is part of a recognized apprenticeship program for a Red Seal trade.

Union

An organization of employees that regulates relations between employers and employees. Unions are governed by constitutions and bylaws, and must be registered with federal, provincial or territorial government labour boards.