Achievement Incentive and Group Sponsorship Grant
Last Update: July 22, 2025
ON, Canada
Grants to train apprentices
Achievement Incentive and Group Sponsorship Grant at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $17,000
Timeline
- Open Date : October 9, 2023
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
Grant Providers
- Government of Ontario
- Immigration
- Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
Program status
Open
Overview of the Achievement Incentive and Group Sponsorship Grant program
Access up to $17,000 to help mitigate the cost of training when your apprentices reach major training and certification milestones.
Eligible projects & activities
The grant eligibility is not specific to geographical areas within the provided context. No particular regions or locations are outlined as required for eligibility for this grant.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 17,000
Enhance IT skills for three new graduates with funding for each training level and certification milestone
$ 15,000
Support automotive mechanic training for three apprentices with milestone payments for each training level achieved
$ 12,000
Facilitate carpentry training for two mid-career apprentices with funding for training levels and certification achieved
$ 9,000
Provide culinary training to three under-represented youth, with milestone funding for progression and certification
$ 12,000
Train two apprentices in plumbing with milestone payments upon each training and certification completion
$ 17,000
Support electric job training for four under-25 apprentices, with milestone payments for training and certification
Eligibility criteria of the Achievement Incentive and Group Sponsorship Grant program
To qualify for the apprenticeship grant, employers and group sponsors must meet certain criteria related to training ability and compliance with regulations.
- Employers must have the facilities, people, and equipment necessary to provide appropriate training for apprentices.
- Ensure apprentices have time to attend classroom components of the apprenticeship program.
- Comply with Ontario regulations that apply to the specific trade, including adherence to journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios set at one-to-one for all trades with ratios.
- For apprentices under 18, employers must ensure a parent or guardian signs the paper application form.
- Employers must be approved as a sponsor by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- Employers may automatically be notified by the ministry for grant payments linked to apprentice progression and completion milestones.
Who is eligible?
Employers or group sponsors located in Ontario who are capable of providing hands-on training and meet provincial regulations can apply for the grant. Qualified employers include those able to provide facilities, staff, and equipment for apprentice training.- Employers must assess their training capacity to ensure they meet Ontario's training ability requirements.- Employers can sponsor apprentices across various trades, including both compulsory and non-compulsory categories.- Group sponsors are also eligible if they have collective capacity to train apprentices adequately.
Eligible expenses
This grant supports activities related to hiring and training apprentices, which prepares the next generation of skilled workers and benefits employers. Eligible activities focus on the recruitment, registration, and training stages of apprenticeship programs.
- Recruitment of apprentices through job listings or partnership programs like Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).
- Registration of apprentices using the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal.
- Signing and maintaining apprenticeship training agreements with the Ministry's approval.
- Providing on-the-job training and monitoring progress through Apprenticeship Training Standard Log Book.
- Completion and certification processes when apprentices meet training milestones.
- Participating in programs like the Achievement Incentive for financial support when apprentices reach milestones.
Eligible geographic areas
The grant covers specific expenses related to hiring and training apprentices for eligible employers and group sponsors.
- Initial registration payment for each apprentice under 25 and/or from an under-represented group.
- Payments for each level of in-class training completion, up to four levels.
- Additional payments for apprentices under 25 and/or from under-represented groups for each level completed.
- Payment upon the apprentice's achievement of the highest certification in their trade.
- Additional payment for certification achievement for apprentices under 25 and/or from under-represented groups.
- Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit, equal to 10% of the apprentice salary.
Eligibility criteria of the Achievement Incentive and Group Sponsorship Grant program
The Achievement Incentive grant program offers financial support to employers training apprentices by providing grant payments when apprentices reach major training and certification milestones.
- Registration payment for newly registered apprentices under the age of 25 or part of an under-represented group
- Milestone payments for each level of in-class training completed, up to four levels
- Additional milestone payments for apprentices under the age of 25 or from under-represented groups
- Milestone payment upon achieving the highest certification in the trade
- Additional milestone payments for qualifying apprentices
How to apply to the Achievement Incentive and Group Sponsorship Grant program
1
Assess Your Training Ability
- Ensure you have the facilities, staff, and equipment necessary to train an apprentice.
- Verify that the apprentice will have time to attend classroom training as required.
- Confirm compliance with Ontario trade regulations, including journeyperson to apprentice ratios.
2
Find an Apprentice
- Post apprenticeship opportunities on the job bank for Canada-wide recruitment.
- Utilize Employment Ontario for in-person recruitment support.
- Partner with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) to recruit high school apprentices.
3
Register the Apprentice
- Submit an online apprenticeship training application via the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal.
- If the candidate is under 18, have the paper application signed by the apprentice's parent or guardian and submit it to a local Employment Ontario office.
4
Sign a Training Agreement
- Sign a training agreement with the apprentice, outlining the terms of the apprenticeship.
- Ensure registration of the training agreement with the Ministry.
5
Train the Apprentice
- Provide training according to the Apprenticeship Training Standard Log Book.
- Regularly review and sign off on skills completed by the apprentice.
6
Finalize Training and Complete Paperwork
- Confirm completion of the apprentice's training to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- Complete and submit any required documentation, such as the Apprenticeship Completion Form.
Additional information
The grant offers financial incentives and support measures:
- The Achievement Incentive program can be up to $17,000 for employers who train apprentices to achieve milestones.
- Eligibility for receiving incentives is acknowledged and processed automatically by the Ministry once milestones are reached.
- Federal support includes the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit for Red Seal trades.
- To practice in a compulsory trade, registration as an apprentice or holding a qualification is necessary.
- Ontario supports and encourages hiring apprentices from under-represented groups or those under 25, offering additional incentive payments.
- Employers can access resources and assistance from Employment Ontario apprenticeship offices for hiring and training support.
- Contact is available via multiple channels including phone, email, and live chat for guidance.
Apply to this program
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