Government Initiatives and Incentives

Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)

A federal $2,000 taxable cash grant is available to registered apprentices who complete their training, become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade and obtain either the Red Seal endorsement or Certificate of Qualification. Applications will be available in July 2009. This Completion Grant is in addition to the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant which is available, to registered apprentices in a Red Seal trade; upon completion of the first or second year of their apprenticeship. For more information contact the Apprenticeship Grants Line 1.866.742.3644.

Compulsory Certification Review

In 2007, the Province of Ontario, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) conducted a review and released a report on the impact of expanding compulsory certification to voluntary trades. The review examined the impact on five factors: health and safety, registration of new apprentices, number of apprentices who would complete trades training, consumer protection, cost and effect on the economy. The complete report, released in May 2008, is available on-line at www.edu.gov.on.ca.

Did You Know?

Apprenticeship training improves companies' bottom line: for every $1 spent on apprenticeship training, an employer receives a benefit of $1.38. (Source: Canadian Apprenticeship Forum)

Approximately 120,000 Ontario apprentices are currently learning a trade. (Source: http://www.news.ontario.ca/tcu/en/2009/05/modernizing-ontarios-skilled-trades-system.html )

The Durham Region Local Training Board has been leading a demonstration pilot project to develop an integrated local labour market planning model for the region. It has consulted all key stakeholders with the goal to identify labour imbalances, service and program gaps, and specify what actions may be required to address our present and future needs. The Board will also assess the impact of existing public and private sector programs and services that relate to training and employment, and make recommendations to government that in time will influence decisions about the allocation of resources in our region. A final integrated local labour market plan for Durham Region will be issued by the summer of 2009.

Q & A

Q: How do I apply for certification if I haven't completed an apprenticeship training program?
A: Visit an office of the Apprenticeship and Client Services Branch and provide proof of the following: letters from current or past employers, written on company letterhead outlining the dates of employment, number of hours worked, position title and a complete description of job duties; a letter from a union providing the same information or apprenticeship documents from other provinces or countries specifying the duration of the apprenticeship; or provide an affidavit. Other forms of identification may also be required. For more information contact the Employment Ontario hotline at 1.800.387.5656.

Q: What is the difference between an apprenticeable trade and a skilled trade? A: In some cases they could be the same, however, apprenticeable identifies the process in which you learn the skilled trade. You are paid while learning by doing and the learning is reinforced on a daily basis. There is a formal in-school component that complements your on-the-job training; whereas in some skilled trades you attend school upfront and then work in your field. Examples of skilled trades that are not apprenticeable trades are Gas Technician and Esthetician. There are over 150 apprenticeable trades approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.