The skilled trades are essential to Canada's economy and few sectors are as essential to Canadians' everyday lives. Smart investments are needed to support Canadians from all backgrounds in taking up apprenticeship training now, and to help kick-start lucrative careers in well-respected skilled trades.
Today, the Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor, the Honourable Dan Vandal, on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, was in Brandon, Manitoba, to announce over $2 million in funding to the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC). The BNRC Apprentice Incentive Program will provide financial incentives to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) so that they can hire at least 300 first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades found predominantly in the construction and manufacturing sectors. This includes apprentices from equity-deserving groups, including women, Indigenous people, newcomers, persons with disabilities, racialized communities (including Black Canadians) and 2SLGBTQI+.
First-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades will get the hands-on experience and training they need to progress toward becoming certified journeypersons in the Red Seal trades as a result of connecting with these job opportunities. The organizations that are being funded under the Apprenticeship Service will distribute financial incentives to SMEs and provide additional supports, such as help navigating the apprenticeship system. To help Canadians facing barriers to a career in the skilled trades, the incentives are doubled for SMEs who hire from equity-deserving groups.
Today's announcement builds on the 15 Apprenticeship Service projects announced since May 2022. To date, the Government has invested over $393 million in 19 projects that will enable SMEs to create over 42,000 new apprenticeship positions across Canada, with the aim of launching meaningful, well-paying careers in the skilled trades from coast to coast to coast.
The Government of Canada is investing nearly $1 billion annually in apprenticeship supports through grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training, project funding and support for the Red Seal program. Announced in Budget 2019, the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy is strengthening existing apprenticeship supports and programs by helping apprentices and key apprenticeship stakeholders, including employers, to participate and succeed in the skilled trades.
