Hiring tradespeople? Here’s a new grant that’ll save your business some cash!

Your organization stands to gain substantial financial benefits through the Apprenticeship Service Program. When you hire a first-year apprentice, you can receive up to $5,000. And if you're hiring from an equity-deserving group then that first-year apprentice can net you as much as $10,000!

So how do you get your hands on this free cash? Glad you asked!

Employer Participant Requirements:

Your business qualifies if you

• Are a small to medium-sized enterprise with fewer than 499 employees.
• Are canadian-owned or a Canadian subsidiary.
• Are providing a minimum 3 month placement for your apprentice.

Apprentice Participant Requirements:

It’s pretty straight forward. There’s no age limit requirements, but they do need to:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person as per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Have an active apprenticeship agreement with an SME and be in the first year of their apprenticeship.
• Be new to your company.
• NOT be a family member of the ownership, directors, or senior officers of your company.

And in case you were wanting to get the $10K and were wondering what an “Eligible Equity-Deserving Group” was, here’s who fits within this definition:

• Women
• Newcomers to Canada
• Indigenous people
• Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities
• Persons with disabilities