Regina, SK — Across Canada, more than 27,000 journeypersons have completed their training and received the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, announced Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina – Lumsden – Lake Centre, in marking the first anniversary of this grant.

“Our government is helping create an educated, skilled and flexible workforce by investing in programs that help Canadians and Canadian businesses succeed in today’s economy and prepare for the jobs of the future,” said Lukiwski. “We encourage more Canadians to complete their apprenticeships in the skilled trades, which offer in-demand, recognized and well-paid career choices.”
Introduced in Canada’s Economic Action Plan to complement the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant provides $2,000 to apprentices who have completed their training in a designated Red Seal trade and have received their journeyperson certification. Red Seal certification is a nationally recognized standard of excellence for skilled trades that boosts tradespeople’s ability to work anywhere in Canada, enabling them to take advantage of opportunities for themselves, their families and their futures.

Through the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, apprentices are eligible for $1,000 when they complete the first and/or second level of their apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal trade, to a maximum of $2,000. Since its inception in 2007, more than 162,000 registered apprentices have received the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant.

Apprentices who complete their training and become a certified journeyperson in a designated Red Seal trade could be eligible to receive a total of $4,000 from the two grants. They help apprentices cover the costs of tuition, travel and tools, as well as launch their careers in the skilled trades.

The Government also provides other financial incentives to help registered apprentices and their employers, including tax deductions, tax credits and Employment Insurance during in-school training.