Funding: Apprenticeship Incentive Grant – What this grant offers

Change to Apprenticeship Incentive Grant

Note: The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) will end March 31, 2025. Applications will not be accepted after this date. 

The Government of Canada will continue to support apprentices financially as they are unemployed and progress through their technical training. Apprentices can access Employment Insurance benefits and up to $20,000 in interest-free Canada Apprentice Loans. Apprentices can apply for a CAL as early as 3 months before the start of their technical training and can receive funding as early as day one of their training while they wait for their Employment Insurance claim to be processed for payment.

Project funding for organizations providing apprenticeship support to individuals is available under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy.

Visit Supports for skilled trades and apprenticeship for information.

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) helps you pay for expenses while you train as an apprentice in a designated Red Seal trade.

• The AIG is a taxable grant worth $1,000 per level, awarded to registered apprentices
• You must complete your first year/level (or equivalent) to apply for the AIG
• You can apply for this grant twice during your training (for a maximum of $2,000)
• You can apply for your second AIG after completing your second year/level (or equivalent) of training

Definitions

Apprenticeship authority

There is a governing body in charge of apprenticeship in each province and territory. This body is usually a branch related to each provincial or territorial Department/Ministry of Education and Training with authority over training, regulation and certification of the apprenticeship program for their province/territory.

Designated Red Seal program trade

A trade that is part of the Red Seal Program.

Journeyperson certification or Certificate of qualification

This is given to tradespeople who:

• complete an apprenticeship program, or
• meet all the requirements of a trade and pass the certification exam

Progression

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant will end March 31, 2025. Applications will not be accepted after this date. If you progressed on or after March 31, 2024, your deadline to submit an AIG application is March 31, 2025. You should apply by this date, even if you have not received supporting documents from your apprenticeship authority. The deadline for submitting supporting documents is 12 months from your application deadline date.

When you complete the technical and on-the-job training of your apprenticeship program, you have progressed. We confirm your progression through the supporting documents you include with your application.

Supporting documents by province/territory of registration