Federal Government Apprenticeship Grants Offer Incremental Financial Support
An apprenticeship can be defined as a formal training system that consists of on-the-job training as well as accompanying classroom studies and reading for new practitioners of a skilled trade. While participating in an apprenticeship, a person will work under the direction of experienced individuals in the same trade and learn from certified instructors who also know that trade.
Apprenticeships are invaluable in obtaining the practical experience necessary to perform the trade in a competent manner; they also allow an apprentice to earn the certification or license they may need to become a recognized member of their profession. And while this learning is taking place, the apprentice is earning a salary, i.e.: being paid to learn.
Of course, a little extra money could always help, especially if the apprentice has to pay for their accommodations, transportation, and/or tools. This is where the Government of Canada can provide some assistance via federal apprenticeship grants aimed at helping individuals progress through and complete their apprenticeships.
There are essentially two types of apprenticeship grants:
- Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)
- Taxable cash grant of $1,000.00 per year or level
- Maximum amount is capped at $2,000.00 per person
- Application submitted after completing first and/or second year
- Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)
- One-time taxable cash grant of $2,000.00 per person
- Available to registered apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and obtain their tradesperson certification
- Application submitted after fulfilling the training and certification noted above
To obtain information on the eligibility criteria for either of the apprenticeship grants, see
Applications for AIGs and ACGs can be completed online and will take about 30 minutes; the form is sent directly to the processing centre for expediency and review. A summary page can be printed before submitting the application and a confirmation number will be provided for tracking purposes once it has been received.
Proof of registration and progression are required for AIG applications; similarly, proof of completion and certification must be provided with ACG applications. These pieces must be mailed to the grant processing centre or taken to a Service Canada location after the online application has been completed and submitted.
Further guidance on the application processes for these apprenticeship grants is easily available. Click here to apply for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant or click here to apply for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant
An important criterion for both grants is the applicant’s participation in a designated Red Seal trade. The Red Seal Program was established to set the standards of excellence for skilled trades across Canada, and there are currently 56 designated trades recognized in the criteria for these grants see
Some of the 56 designated Red Seal trades include:
- Welder
- Pipefitter
- Machinist
- Millwright
- Tool and Die Maker
- Electrician (Industrial, Construction)
Individuals interested in learning more about the above designated Red Seal trades may want to contact a professional staffing agency, like Winters Technical Staffing in Toronto, to arrange a consultation with a specialist knowledgeable in apprenticeship placements.
Professional Guidance and Support for Apprentices and Apprenticeship Seekers
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of an apprenticeship is not the on-the-job learning or the classroom studies but acquiring the position itself. Although some post-secondary programs may offer access to apprenticeships as part of their curricula, many candidates will need to uncover such opportunities through their own means; this can be frustrating, particularly for those who have little to no job-searching experience or lack a network of contacts in their targeted trade.
Under these circumstances, individuals can once again turn to a professional recruitment agency such as Winters Technical Staffing in Toronto. Based on more than 40 years of staffing experience and success, and well-established networking in many of the trades sectors, the consultants at Winters Technical Staffing will often have knowledge of and access to any number of apprenticeship opportunities that are not otherwise advertised to the general public; capitalizing on such resources can pay dividends for apprenticeship seekers from the perspectives of:
- Knowledge
- Accessibility
- Expediency
- Focus/Targeting
For more information on the resources provided by Winters Technical Staffing for those who are interested in or are currently seeking an apprenticeship opportunity in a specific trade, please visit
Contact Winters Today
For guidance and support in seeking an apprenticeship or in the preparations of AIG and ACG applications, call the professionals at Winters Technical Staffing at 416-495-7422 today or contact us to request a complimentary consultation.
