The federal government is increasing financial support for apprenticeship training equipment and expanding eligibility criteria to help address Canada’s skilled trades shortage.
Employment and Social Development Canada announced changes to the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Investments in Training Equipment stream that will cover shipping and installation costs for training equipment. The program will also offer federal contributions of up to 70 per cent for organizations in remote or infrastructure-limited areas, up from the current 50 per cent standard.
The changes aim to make it easier for unions and training providers to acquire modern equipment needed to train workers in Red Seal trades.
Program details
The Canadian Apprenticeship Investments in Training Equipment funding stream has $20 million available for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Proposals will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Eligible organizations include unions representing Red Seal trades workers, organizations managing their own training funds, and training providers that deliver technical training to apprentices in recognized apprenticeship programs or Red Seal trades.
Organizations can submit applications by mail, email or through the Grants and Contributions Online Services portal.
Workforce projections
Canada will have more than 410,000 job openings for skilled trades in the construction sector by 2033, including 189,000 due to anticipated retirements, according to the government.
The federal government provides nearly $1 billion annually in apprenticeship support through loans, project funding, tax credits and deductions, and Employment Insurance benefits.
Union training expansion
Budget 2025 proposed a $75-million expansion of the Union Training and Innovation Program over three years. Since 2017, the program has supported over 145,000 participants, including 28,463 in 2024-25.
The government plans to engage with partners to explore further enhancements to apprenticeship programming, including potential support for renovation needs at training facilities.
“We need more apprentices to complete their training so that Canada can advance our key priorities: increasing housing construction, meeting the Defence Industrial Strategy, and building our infrastructure and major projects,” said John Zerucelli, Secretary of State for Labour.
