Minister Finley attends Champions Breakfast
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, June 29, 2011—National skills competition champions from across Canada gathered in Ottawa today for a Champions Breakfast as they prepare themselves for the WorldSkills Competition in London, UK. The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, delivered words of support to Team Canada at the event, while encouraging other young Canadians to follow their example and learn more about careers in the trade, technology and service industries.
“I would like to wish everyone from Team Canada all the best at the WorldSkills competition in London,” said Minister Finley. “As Canadian champions, you inspire other young people to discover careers in trades and technology. Our government is dedicated to improving opportunities for Canadians through skills development and that is why we are very proud to support Team Canada.”
Investing in skills training is part of the Government of Canada’s strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. Through grants, tax credits and support for training programs, Canada’s Economic Action Plan is encouraging apprenticeships and careers in the skilled trades.
“We have a lot of talent in this country and skills competitions are a wonderful way of demonstrating that talent,” added Minister Finley. “On behalf of the Government of Canada, have a great WorldSkills Competition.”
The Government is a strong supporter of Skills/Compétences Canada and its provincial and territorial chapters. Skills/Compétences Canada coordinates annual skills competitions and selects and prepares competitors for the WorldSkills competition that takes place every two years.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Ann Matejicka
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) provides a $2,000 taxable cash grant to registered apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship training and received their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade. As part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant builds on the existing Apprenticeship Incentive Grant.
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant was created in 2006. Registered apprentices who have successfully completed their first and/or second level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal trade are eligible for this $1,000 grant. The lifetime maximum for this grant is $2,000 per eligible apprentice.
Also available is the Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction, which provides employed tradespersons with an annual deduction of up to $500 to help cover the cost of new tools necessary to their trade. The total cost of eligible tools must exceed $1,000.
For employers who hire apprentices in a designated Red Seal trade, the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit equal to 10 percent of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices employed after May 1, 2006. The maximum credit is $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.
Skills/Compétences Canada is funded by the Government of Canada under the Youth Awareness program. Youth Awareness provides financial assistance for projects designed to address specific labour market requirements facing communities and aims to promote youth as the workforce of the future among recipients, employers, communities and young Canadians.
Further information on youth employment opportunities can be found at www.youth.gc.ca.
