Achievement Incentive and Group Sponsorship Grant

Who is eligible?

• Individuals such as employers, contractors, or certified journeypersons.
• Groups such as unions, industry associations, or consortia.

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

• Ontario

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

• Step 1: Assess training capacity
  • Confirm you have the facilities, staff, and equipment needed to train an apprentice.
  • Make sure the apprentice can attend required classroom training.
  • Check that your business complies with Ontario trade rules and wage requirements.
• Step 2: Sign a sponsor agreement
  • If you have never sponsored an apprentice in Ontario, get approved by Skilled Trades Ontario.
  • Complete the Sponsor Agreement online through the Skilled Trades Ontario Digital Portal, or submit the downloaded form by email or mail.
• Step 3: Find an apprentice
  • Recruit through the job bank, Employment Ontario, or the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
  • For apprentices from another province or territory, review prior work experience, technical training, and apprenticeship registration documents.
• Step 4: Apply for apprenticeship training
  • Submit the Application for Apprenticeship Training through the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal.
  • If the candidate is 16 to 17 years old, use the paper form and obtain the required signatures.
  • Submit the form to Skilled Trades Ontario by email or mail if you cannot apply online.
• Step 5: Sign a training agreement
  • Complete the Training Agreement after approval.
  • Skilled Trades Ontario registers the agreement.
• Step 6: Ensure the apprentice receives training
  • Review the training standard regularly and sign off on acquired skills.
  • Notify Skilled Trades Ontario of any changes to business information or the registered agreement.
  • Make sure the apprentice has time for in-school training.
• Step 7: Confirm program completion
  • Confirm completion of training records and schooling requirements.
  • Complete and submit the Apprenticeship Completion Form by email or mail.

• Skilled Trades Ontario reviews the application and notifies the applicant if it is approved.
• For first-time sponsors, approval is required before a Training Agreement can be registered.
• Once approved, the Training Agreement is registered by Skilled Trades Ontario.
• After registration, the apprentice may access provincial and federal financial incentives.

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.