Employers! Hiring apprentices or starting your current employees on the apprenticeship path has more funding than ever before with the launch of a new Canadian Apprenticeship Service grant. This is in addition to the existing $9500 (additional $3,750 for eligible minorities) in tax credits available for employers.
This means in total, there is now
- a minimum of $14,500 (max up to $23,250) in grants and tax credits available for employers throughout an apprenticeship.
- a minimum of $8,500 (max up to $18,250) in tax credits and grants for apprentices throughout their apprenticeship.
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) and its partners – the Canadian Construction Association, Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board, Apprenticesearch.com, BuildForce Canada and SkillPlan launched their Canadian Apprenticeship Service program, distributing grants to employers who hire Level one apprentices. To support apprentice employment, the federal government’s Apprenticeship Service is encouraging small-and medium-sized employers to hire Level 1 apprentices by offering $5,000 grants. Employers may receive $10,000 if they hire a Level 1 apprentice from an equity-deserving group.
The Canadian Apprenticeship Service grant program is open now, and is available until March 31, 2024.
Employers can qualify for up to two grants (2 new apprentices) per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).
Over the entire course of the program (September 2022 — March 31st, 2024), an employer can receive a maximum of $40,000.
Steps to access the Canadian Apprenticeship Service grant:
It is essential to follow the required steps in order to qualify.
Step 1a: The Employer/Journeyperson registers with Apprentice search to begin the process of accessing the Canadian Apprenticeship Service grant.
Step 1b: The Employee registers with Apprentice search to begin the process of the employer accessing the Canadian Apprenticeship Service grant.
*** the employee must become a first-year Red Seal apprentice after your agreement is signed with CAF-FCA and partners. This means the employee must register for this before registering as an apprentice with the employer through the Industry Training Authority (or other training authority in provinces other than British Columbia). If the employee registers as the Employer/Journeyperson’s apprentice before registering for this, the employee will not be an eligible new apprentice.
If your new apprentice belongs to an equity deserving group, they must voluntarily self-identify when they register to qualify for the equity-deserving group $5000 supplement.
Equity-deserving groups
-
- Women
- Indigenous Peoples
- Newcomers
- Persons with Disabilities
- Visible Minorities
- LGBTQ2+
Step 2: The Journeyperson/mentor and the apprentice must complete the ‘Introduction to mentorship’ course.
The Introduction to mentorship course is required when accessing the program through CAF-FCA and partners and must be completed by both the journeyperson/mentor and the apprentice. It is an online course and takes about 2-3 hours per person to complete. A PIN to access the training will be provided to both the journeyperson/mentor and the apprentice once the employer completes the registration process.
Completion: Once these steps have been completed CAF-FCA reviews and approves your submission, and you receive your funding! Yes, that’s all, but such a small requirement can lead to great things for your company and the apprentice.
FAQs
The employee can register as your apprentice with the Industry Training Authority (or other training authority in provinces other than British Columbia) once CAF-FCA reviews and approves your submission.
Current employees who have not yet registered as an apprentice are eligible!
This grant is not dependent on apprenticeship completion milestones for eligibility, only completion of the two steps.
Employers can use this funding any way they choose, such as subsidizing the apprentice’s labour costs, supporting their technical training costs, or work tools, equipment, and gear.
Resources
To learn more about the Canadian Apprenticeship Service and how to access funding to support the hiring and retention of new Level One apprentices in 39 Red Seal trades, including Landscape Horticulturist, visit https://apprenticesearch.com/cas
Download the brochure
View the Canadian Apprentice Service (CAS) presentation pdf
And the Employer FAQ pdf for answers to common questions
Employers, if you do not yet have your Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist CofQ visit our Challenge A Trade Certification Exam page. HortEducation.ca and the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) are running a Red Seal Exam Prep Workshop November 12, 2022 to help prepare for the exam and manage exam anxiety (British Columbia Challengers that complete the certification by challenge qualify for a $2,500 personal tax credit).
If you need further assistance call 1-877-905-2748
Horteducation.ca would like to hear about your experience applying for this new grant. If you would like to provide feedback, please email [email protected]