Government of Canada announces new partnership to create at least 5,200 more apprenticeships in Atlantic Canada

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

News release

August 26, 2022              Truro, Nova Scotia              Employment and Social Development Canada

The skilled trades are essential to Canada’s economy. Few industries 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 Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, was in Truro, Nova Scotia, to announce over $28 million for the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency’s Apprenticeship START Plus Project. The project will provide financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador to hire a minimum of 5,200 first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades over the next two years. This includes a minimum of 1,190 first-year apprentices from equity-deserving groups such as women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people and racialized people.

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, and they will also develop training for SMEs to help them onboard apprentices and create welcoming and inclusive workplaces. 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 13 Apprenticeship Service projects announced by Minister Qualtrough in May 2022. It also builds on the project announced by the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Seniors, on August 24, 2022, which will support new apprenticeship positions across Canada. To date, the Government has invested $306 million in 15 projects that will enable SMEs to create over 32,000 new apprenticeship positions across Canada.

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 will strengthen existing apprenticeship supports and programs by helping apprentices and key apprenticeship stakeholders, including employers, to participate and succeed in the skilled trades.

Quotes

“Canada needs more skilled trades workers. We need more women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, racialized Canadians and other traditionally marginalized people to get into the skilled trades. That’s why the Apprenticeship Service program is so critical. It’s helping more and more Canadians seize these great job opportunities, and it’s making sure businesses have the skilled workers they need to thrive.”

– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

“As Canada continues its economic recovery from the pandemic, we need to address our labour shortage and find ways to increase the number of Canadians working in the skilled trades. Our Government is focused on promoting and retaining hardworking Canadians in the skilled trades through the Apprenticeship START Plus Project, which will create thousands of opportunities for first-year apprentices across Atlantic Canada. Not only does this project provide valuable work experience, but it also helps local SMEs hire additional staff, benefitting communities across the region.”

– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“Our economy and our communities depend on skilled trades workers. That’s why we’re creating thousands of apprenticeships here in Nova Scotia and across Atlantic Canada, so more people can learn a trade, while they earn living. That’s how we’re going to make sure we have more electricians, welders, bricklayers and other skilled trades workers.”

– Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings–Hants

"Skilled trades are at the forefront of Nova Scotia's growing, vibrant economy. This investment from Employment and Social Development Canada will help meet our labour market needs and foster a strong, diverse, and highly skilled workforce now and into the future. In addition to providing financial support to small and medium-sized businesses to hire first-year apprentices in Red Seal trades, this program will provide employers with training and support to create welcoming and inclusive workplaces for all.”

– Jill Balser, Nova Scotia Minister or Labour, Skills and Immigration.

Quick facts

  • According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, in order to meet the demand for skilled journeypersons in Red Seal trades, an average of approximately 75,000 new apprentices will need to be hired per year over the next five years. The top trades most at risk of not meeting the demand include welder, industrial mechanic (millwright), bricklayer, boilermaker, cook and hairstylist. 

  • According to BuildForce Canada, the construction industry needs to recruit 309,000 new workers over the next decade (2021 to 2030), driven predominantly by the expected retirement of 259,100 workers (22% of the current labour force).  

  • There are more than 11,000 SMEs in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick who work in the eligible Red Seal trades. The Apprenticeship Service will help them hire more first-year apprentices, which will help fulfill Canada’s labour market needs.

  • Measures in Budget 2022 to support skilled trades workers include:

    • $84.2 million over four years to double the funding for the Union Training and Innovation Program to help apprentices from under-represented groups begin—and succeed in—careers in the skilled trades through mentorship, career services and job matching.
    • A new Labour Mobility Deduction, which would provide tax recognition on up to $4,000 per year in eligible travel and temporary relocation expenses to eligible tradespersons and apprentices. This measure would apply to the 2022 and subsequent taxation years.
    • $2.5 million in 2022–2023 for Employment and Social Development Canada to launch a new union-led advisory table that brings together unions and trade associations. The table will advise the Government on how to help workers navigate the changing labour market, with a particular focus on skilled mid-career workers in at-risk sectors and jobs.

  • To highlight the value of skilled trades workers and the wide range of supports available to build a successful and fulfilling career in the trades, the Government launched an advertising campaign earlier this year to promote the skilled trades as first choice careers for young people. The campaign website (Canada.ca/skilled-trades) provides Canadians with information about what the skilled trades are, how to become a tradesperson, and what financial supports are available to them while in training.  

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Contacts

For media enquiries, please contact:

Tara Beauport
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
343-576-1628
tara.beauport@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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