WOODBRIDGE, ONTARIO, FEBRUARY 22, 2011 - "With more than 225,000 apprenticeship grants having been awarded, the Government of Canada's apprenticeship programs are working," declared the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour.
Minister Raitt made the statement at the Interior Systems Contractors Association where she and the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of State (Seniors) and Member of Parliament for Vaughan, celebrated the success of the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and Apprenticeship Completion Grant.
"Our government wants to help Canadians develop the skills they need to compete in the global market and build a better future for themselves and their families," said Minister Raitt. "I am pleased that so many apprentices are taking advantage of the opportunity to become skilled tradespeople."
To date, more than 40,000 apprentices have taken advantage of the Government of Canada's Apprenticeship Completion Grant, and almost 190,000 have received the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant.
"Our Government remains focused on the economy," said Minister Fantino. "Our Economic Action Plan is investing in Canadian workers to strengthen the economy and support hard-working families in Woodbridge."
Announced as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant is a $2,000 grant for apprentices who have completed their training in a designated Red Seal trade. The federal government has committed more than $40 million per year for this Grant to encourage apprentices to become certified journeypersons in Red Seal trades, which will allow them to work almost anywhere in Canada.
The Government also offers the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, which is a grant of $1,000 per year for registered apprentices who have successfully completed their first or second year/level of an apprenticeship program in a Red Seal trade. The maximum amount an individual can receive is $2,000.
By combining the two grants, apprentices who complete their training and become certified journeypersons could receive a total of $4,000.
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For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
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Many Canadians who wish to pursue a career in the skilled trades face financial barriers. For this reason, the Government of Canada created the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, which helps apprentices cover some of the expenses related to tuition, travel and tools.
To further help apprentices complete their training and begin rewarding careers in the skilled trades, the Government created the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Registered apprentices who have successfully completed their first or second year/level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in one of the designated Red Seal trades can apply for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant. Apprentices who complete their training and receive their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade can apply for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant.
Information on how to apply for apprenticeship grants is available on the Service Canada Web site at servicecanada.gc.ca/apprenticeship. An apprentice can apply online or by submitting a paper application form. Apprentices must also submit proof of eligibility for the grants.
Service Canada has been accepting applications for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant since January 2007, and for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant since July 2009.
