The Canadian Apprenticeship Service (CAS) - funded by Employment and Social Development Canada - supports employers in hiring new first-year apprentices in 39 Red Seal trades. It also helps first-year apprentices get the hands-on work experience they need for a career in the skilled trades.

​

The Halton Industry Education Council is a strategic CAS partner, having created the "go-to" platform for employers seeking apprenticeship candidates, Apprenticesearch.com. As a proud HIECian, I'm helping get information to students, educators, parents, employers and community partners across Canada about this campaign to expand apprenticeships to meet the skilled trade gap caused by retiring "boomers'.

​

How the program works

ESDC funds organizations that work with employers in the skilled trades. The organizations give financial support to small and medium-sized employers to hire first-year apprentices:

• $5,000 for each eligible new first-year apprentice hired

• $10,000 if the apprentice hired is from an equity-deserving group

They also provide other support to employers to help them offer apprenticeships.

​

How to apply

Employers with 499 or fewer paid employees are invited to contact a mandated intermediary or visit their website for details.

​

Eligible Red Seal trades

There are 39 Red Seal trades eligible for financial support:

• Boilermaker

• Bricklayer

• Cabinetmaker

• Carpenter

• Concrete Finisher

• Construction Craft Worker

• Construction Electrician

• Drywall Finisher and Plasterer

• Floorcovering Installer

• Gasfitter - Class A

• Gasfitter - Class B

• Glazier

• Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer)

• Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator)

• Heavy Equipment Operator (Tractor-Loader-Backhoe)

• Industrial Electrician

• Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)

• Instrumentation and Control Technician

• Insulator (Heat and Frost)

• Ironworker (Generalist)

• Ironworker (Reinforcing)

• Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental)

• Landscape Horticulturist

• Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)

• Machinist

• Metal Fabricator (Fitter)

• Mobile Crane Operator

• Painter and Decorator

• Plumber

• Powerline Technician

• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic

• Roofer

• Sheet Metal Worker

• Sprinkler Fitter

• Steamfitter/Pipefitter

• Tilesetter

• Tool and Die Maker

• Tower Crane Operator

• Welder

 

Eligible equity-deserving groups

• Women

• Persons with disabilities

• Indigenous people

• Members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities

• Racialized communities

• Newcomers