Government of Canada supports apprentices in Saskatchewan: Canada's Economic Action Plan invests in skills development
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, February 10, 2010—More than 630 Saskatchewan apprentices have taken advantage of the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Completion Grant, and another 5,800 are receiving the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant.
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, applauded the take-up of the two grant programs at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) today, where she was congratulating apprentices.
“Our government wants to help Canadians develop the skills they need to compete in the global market and build a better future for themselves and their families,” said Minister Finley. “I am pleased that so many apprentices in Saskatchewan are taking advantage of the opportunity to become skilled tradespeople.”
“Financial support for apprentices certainly helps them make ends meet, but it also provides a much-valued endorsement of their post-secondary education path and career decisions,” said Dr. Robert G. McCulloch, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology. “In addition to offering 159 certificate, diploma and degree programs, SIAST provides technical training to apprentices in 26 trades.”
Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant is a $2,000 grant for 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 for skilled trades that boosts tradespeople’s ability to work anywhere in Canada.
The Government of Canada also offers the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, which is a grant of $1,000 per year for registered apprentices who have successfully completed their first or second year/level of an apprenticeship program in a Red Seal trade. The maximum amount an individual can receive is $2,000.
The federal government has committed more than $40 million per year for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant to encourage apprentices to become certified journeypersons in Red Seal trades, which will allow them to work almost anywhere in Canada.
By combining the two apprenticeship grants, apprentices who complete their training and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade could receive a total of $4,000.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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This news release is available online at www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
Many Canadians who wish to pursue a career in the skilled trades face financial barriers. For this reason, the Government of Canada created the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, which helps apprentices cover some of the expenses related to tuition, travel and tools.
To further help apprentices complete their training and begin rewarding careers in the skilled trades, the Government created the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
Registered apprentices who have successfully completed their first or second year/level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in one of the designated Red Seal trades can apply for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant. Apprentices who complete their training and receive their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade on or after January 1, 2009, can apply for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant.
Information on how to apply for apprenticeship grants is available on the Service Canada Web site at servicecanada.gc.ca/apprenticeship. An apprentice can apply online or by submitting a paper application form. Apprentices must also submit proof of eligibility for the grants.
Service Canada has been accepting applications for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant since January 2007, and for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant since July 2009.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan aims to protect Canadians during the global recession and to invest in Canada’s long-term growth. Through this plan, the Government is making significant investments to support workers and their families, including:
- increasing funding by $1 billion for training delivered through the Employment Insurance (EI) program over two years;
- investing $500 million over two years in a Strategic Training and Transition Fund to support the particular needs of workers, whether or not they qualify for EI;
- providing an additional $175 million to support Aboriginal skills development and training; and
- providing additional funding for key programs aimed at supporting older workers, young Canadians, apprentices and foreign credential recognition.
The Economic Action Plan is also temporarily providing additional support to workers and the unemployed through the following Employment Insurance measures:
- providing nationally an extra five weeks of EI benefits previously offered as part of a pilot project in specific regions with high unemployment;
- providing an estimated $500 million over two years to extend income benefits for long‑tenured workers participating in longer-term training;
- extending Work-Sharing agreements to a maximum of 52 weeks for 2009 and 2010 and increasing access to Work-Sharing agreements through greater flexibility in the qualifying criteria; and
- freezing EI rates for 2010 at $1.73 per $100—the same rate as 2009.
