Government of Canada helps Canadians qualify for jobs in the skilled trades

April 15, 2009

Ottawa – Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for Macleod and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, today highlighted the Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG), which will offer $2,000 to eligible apprentices who successfully complete their apprenticeship training and certification in a designated Red Seal trade. This measure was proposed in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, delivered in Budget 2009.

“By offering the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, our Government is ensuring that we have the skilled and mobile workforce our country needs to fill available jobs in the labour market,” said Menzies. “We are assisting individuals in developing skills for the future so they can take advantage of opportunities for themselves, their families and their futures”

The Apprenticeship Completion Grant complements the existing Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, under which registered apprentices are eligible for a $1,000 grant when they complete their first and/or second year/level of apprenticeship training in a designated Red Seal trade to a maximum of $2,000.  The Apprenticeship Completion Grant will be offered to apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade. By combining the two grants, completing apprentices can be eligible for up to $4,000 upon certification in a designated Red Seal trade.

The Red Seal Program promotes a national standard for training excellence in the skilled trades and is highly valued by employers. The Apprenticeship Completion Grant will boost worker mobility, as the Red Seal workers’ credentials are recognized in most provinces and territories of Canada.

Apprentices can begin applying for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant in July but their eligibility will be retroactive to January 1, 2009.  Each year, an estimated 20,000 completing apprentices could benefit from the Apprenticeship Completion Grant once they are certified in a designated Red Seal trade, totalling an annual government investment of $40 million.

For additional information about the ACG, please visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca