Apprentice
Incentives
The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario recognize the need to recruit, educate, and employ new apprentices. As a result, they have created a number of great financial incentives (i.e., grants, loans, tax credits etc.) to encourage employers to hire and retain apprentices and to encourage apprentices to complete their apprenticeships. Please see below for details on the government incentives available to both employers and to apprentices.
FAQ
Provincial
- Ontario Tools Grant
Apprentices in the construction trade are eligible to receive a grant of $600 towards the purchase of tools.
To be eligible for the new grant, apprentices must have:
- completed level 1 training on or after April 1, 2020;
- an active registered training agreement; and
- been registered as an apprentice for as least 12 months.
For additional details, and to apply visit https://www.eoss.tcu.gov.on.ca/AOL/grants/tools_grant/start
- Grant for Apprenticeship Learning (GAL)
The Grant for Apprenticeship Learning provides up to $3600.00 of taxable financial supports for non-Employment Insurance eligible apprentices who completed a level of full time in-class training at an approved training delivery agency after April 1, 2020.
Apprentices will receive an application with instructions via email at the end of training.
Certain requirements must be met:
- Apprentice must successfully complete in-school training
- Notification of non-EI eligibility received from Service Canada must be provided
- Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) Examination Preparatory Assistance
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) has instituted an initiative which supports apprentices and Certificate of Qualification challenger success on the C of Q exam. The initiative involves the addition of 5 days of dedicated exam preparation content to the final level of apprenticeship classroom training. The cost of the additional week is born by the MTCU. The C of Q exam is delivered on the last day of the additional week.
- Back-to-Back Schooling
MTCU will be giving apprentices the choice to complete more of their in-school training up front if work placements are temporarily unavailable.
Federal
- Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)
The AIG is a taxable cash grant of $1,000.00 per year or level, up to a maximum amount of $2,000.00 per apprentice. It is available to apprentices once they have completed their first and/or second year or level of an apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal Trade.
Applications may be obtained at: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/apprenticeship
- Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)
The ACG is a taxable cash grant of $2,000.00 for registered apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and obtain their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade.
Applications may be obtained at: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/apprenticeship
- Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction
The Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction provides employed tradespersons with an annual deduction of up to $500.00 to help cover the cost of new tools necessary for their trade. The deduction applies to the total cost of eligible tools if:
- The total cost exceeds $1,000.00;
- The tools were purchased after May 1, 2006;
- The purchase was made by an employed tradesperson.
For more information click here
- Canada Apprentice Loan (CAL) Program
CAL is loan funding offered by the Government of Canada to apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program who are enrolled in any of the mandatory levels of in-school training. CAL is meant to help apprentices pay for tuition, tools, living expenses, cover forgone wages or support their families. Apprentices may be eligible to receive loans of up to $4000.00 for each in-school training session they attend and may have up to 6 years of interest free status in order to repay the loan(s).
For more information and to apply please visit www.canada.ca/apprentice
FAQ
Provincial
- Ontario Tools Grant
Apprentices in the construction trade are eligible to receive a grant of $600 towards the purchase of tools.
To be eligible for the new grant, apprentices must have:
- completed level 1 training on or after April 1, 2020;
- an active registered training agreement; and
- been registered as an apprentice for as least 12 months.
For additional details, and to apply visit https://www.eoss.tcu.gov.on.ca/AOL/grants/tools_grant/start
- Grant for Apprenticeship Learning (GAL)
The Grant for Apprenticeship Learning provides up to $3600.00 of taxable financial supports for non-Employment Insurance eligible apprentices who completed a level of full time in-class training at an approved training delivery agency after April 1, 2020.
Apprentices will receive an application with instructions via email at the end of training.
Certain requirements must be met:
- Apprentice must successfully complete in-school training
- Notification of non-EI eligibility received from Service Canada must be provided
- Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) Examination Preparatory Assistance
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) has instituted an initiative which supports apprentices and Certificate of Qualification challenger success on the C of Q exam. The initiative involves the addition of 5 days of dedicated exam preparation content to the final level of apprenticeship classroom training. The cost of the additional week is born by the MTCU. The C of Q exam is delivered on the last day of the additional week.
- Back-to-Back Schooling
MTCU will be giving apprentices the choice to complete more of their in-school training up front if work placements are temporarily unavailable.
Federal
- Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)
The AIG is a taxable cash grant of $1,000.00 per year or level, up to a maximum amount of $2,000.00 per apprentice. It is available to apprentices once they have completed their first and/or second year or level of an apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal Trade.
Applications may be obtained at: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/apprenticeship
- Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)
The ACG is a taxable cash grant of $2,000.00 for registered apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and obtain their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade.
Applications may be obtained at: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/apprenticeship
- Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction
The Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction provides employed tradespersons with an annual deduction of up to $500.00 to help cover the cost of new tools necessary for their trade. The deduction applies to the total cost of eligible tools if:
- The total cost exceeds $1,000.00;
- The tools were purchased after May 1, 2006;
- The purchase was made by an employed tradesperson.
For more information click here
- Canada Apprentice Loan (CAL) Program
CAL is loan funding offered by the Government of Canada to apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program who are enrolled in any of the mandatory levels of in-school training. CAL is meant to help apprentices pay for tuition, tools, living expenses, cover forgone wages or support their families. Apprentices may be eligible to receive loans of up to $4000.00 for each in-school training session they attend and may have up to 6 years of interest free status in order to repay the loan(s).
For more information and to apply please visit www.canada.ca/apprentice