Call for Proposals under the new Apprenticeship Service

The Government of Canada has launched an open, competitive Call for Proposals under the new Apprenticeship Service that was announced in Budget 2021. This Call for Proposals is open from August 3, 2021, to September 14, 2021. It will fund organizations to act as intermediaries to provide:  

1.   Financial incentives to small and medium-sized employers to hire up to two first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades per year, as follows:  

• $5,000 for each apprentice hired to help pay for upfront costs such as salaries and training. 
• A second incentive of $5,000 when the eligible first-year apprentice is a woman, a person with a disability, an Indigenous person, a member of the LGBTQ2+ communities, a newcomers, or a visible minority, including members of Black and other racialized communities.  

2.   Additional supports to help employers participate in apprenticeship. Supports could include help to navigate the apprenticeship system, on-board apprentices and create welcoming workplaces.  

Unions representing workers in Red Seal trades, not for profit organizations, for profit organizations, provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies or Crown Corporations and Indigenous organizations are eligible to apply to become an intermediary. Proposals submitted by Indigenous organizations that meet the eligibility criteria will be prioritized. 

For more information on how to apply, please click here.  

An information session will take place on August 18, 2021. Participants can ask questions during that session. Organizations can participate in the sessions online or by teleconference. If you are interested in attending the Apprenticeship Service Call for Proposals information session, or if you have additional questions, please email: EDSC.SA-AS.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca. 

Background
The Apprenticeship Service is an investment of $470 million over three years, beginning in 2021-22. It aims to support employers to hire new first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades. The new Apprenticeship Service is an initiative under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy that was announced in Budget 2019. The Strategy strengthens existing apprenticeship supports to:  

• promote the skilled trades
• encourage the participation of underrepresented groups
• facilitate employer and union participation
• encourage innovation in apprenticeship  

Sincerely, 

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion