New registrations in apprenticeship programs across Canada reached 101,541 in 2024, a 5.9% increase from the previous year and the highest level since data collection began in 2008, according to Statistics Canada.
The growth marks the fourth consecutive year of expansion following near-record lows during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. All provinces except Quebec surpassed their pre-pandemic registration levels from 2019.
Regional gains offset declines
Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia drove the national increase despite six provinces and two territories experiencing year-over-year declines. Nova Scotia saw the largest decrease at 7.4%, followed by Quebec at 4.3%.
Growth in electricians, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, and interior finishers in Alberta and British Columbia helped offset losses elsewhere. Ontario recorded gains in automotive service workers and electricians.
Trade-specific trends emerge
Sixteen of 24 major trade groups saw increases or remained stable in 2024. Interior finishers led with 27.9% growth, followed by hairstylists and estheticians at 26.5%, construction workers at 24.2%, and early childhood educators and assistants at 16.7%.
Machinists declined 11.5%, stationary engineers and power plant operators fell 9.1%, and landscape and horticulture technicians dropped 6.5%. These trades remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Certifications lag behind recovery
The number of apprentices who completed their programs and received certification reached 46,971 in 2024, essentially unchanged from 2023 and still 9.6% below pre-pandemic levels.
British Columbia accounted for most of the national increase with 12.9% growth, driven by certifications among plumbers, pipefitters, food service workers and automotive service technicians. Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia also posted gains, while Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec saw declines.
Heavy duty equipment mechanics led certification growth at 41.5% above 2019 levels, followed by refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics at 36.3%. Service-oriented trades including early childhood educators and assistants remained 46.6% below pre-pandemic levels.
Program completion rates show modest improvement
The certification rate—the percentage of apprentices completing programs within the expected duration—increased 1.1 percentage points to 19.9% in 2024, the third consecutive year of growth. The rate remained below the pre-pandemic level of 20.9% recorded in 2019.
The continuation rate, measuring apprentices still registered at their program’s expected end date, declined slightly to 49.2% but remained elevated compared to historical norms of 40% to 45%. Many apprentices evaluated in 2024 had registered in 2020 during pandemic disruptions, which may have extended their training timelines.
The discontinuation rate for apprentices who left programs within the expected duration declined slightly to 30.9% in 2024.
