Apprenticeship START

Q: How much funding can be received?

Apprenticeship START Funds up to 25000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Apprenticeship START a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Apprenticeship START is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Apprenticeship START?

Apprenticeship START is funded by Government of Nova Scotia

Q: Who is eligible for the Apprenticeship START program?

To be eligible for the Apprenticeship START program, you must: • Nova Scotia business with fewer than 500 employees • Employs 15 or fewer apprentices • For urban areas (Halifax, Truro, Sydney), must register equity-deserving apprentices from under-represented groups

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Apprenticeship START?

You can contact Government of Nova Scotia by email at apprenticeshipstart@novascotia.ca or by phone at 1-800-494-5651.

Q: Where is the Apprenticeship START available?

The Apprenticeship START program is available the province of Nova Scotia.

Q: Are women eligible for the Apprenticeship START program?

Yes, women are eligible to apply for the Apprenticeship START program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

NS, Canada

Supports Nova Scotia employers hiring and training apprentices

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $25,000

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Government of Nova Scotia

Program status

Open

Overview

The Apprenticeship START program provides up to $25,000 in funding to support Nova Scotia employers in registering and employing new or unemployed apprentices. This government initiative helps businesses facilitate practical training and progress apprentices toward certification.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding amount varies, up to a maximum of $25,000 per employer.

Activities funded

Employing and registering new or unemployed apprentices in Nova Scotia within a structured apprenticeship program.
Providing on-the-job training and relevant work experience to help apprentices progress toward certification.
Supporting under-represented groups (in urban areas) by offering apprenticeship opportunities tailored to equity-deserving candidates.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 17,400

Employing an apprentice carpenter from a visible minority group

$ 12,000

Welder apprenticeship for a newcomer and implementation of digital logbooks

$ 21,000

Registering a new plumbing apprentice and upgrading training tools

$ 21,000

Onboarding a female automotive service technician apprentice and equipment

$ 14,400

Hiring a new apprentice chef and purchasing culinary training resources

$ 20,900

Supporting an underrepresented electrical apprentice with paid work placement

Eligibility

The applicant must be a small or medium-sized employer in Nova Scotia with fewer than 500 employees.
The business, not-for-profit organization, or social enterprise must employ 15 apprentices or less.
Employers in urban areas with populations over 20,000 (Halifax Regional Municipality, Truro, Sydney) are eligible only if registering equity-deserving apprentices from under-represented groups.
The employer must provide suitable work experience, accurately record practical hours, and ensure a safe working environment for apprentices.

Who is eligible?

Small or medium-sized businesses in Nova Scotia
Not-for-profit organizations in Nova Scotia
Social enterprises in Nova Scotia

Who is not eligible

Employers operating in urban areas with populations over 20,000 (Halifax Regional Municipality, Truro, and Sydney) are not eligible unless they are registering equity-deserving apprentices from under-represented groups.

Eligible geographic areas

Nova Scotia
Urban areas exceeding 20,000 in population: Halifax Regional Municipality, Truro, and Sydney (with limitations on apprentice eligibility)

How to apply

Confirm apprentice and business eligibility

Identify an eligible apprentice who is either new or unemployed and residing in Nova Scotia
Ensure your business is eligible according to program criteria

Complete Apprenticeship Agreement

Prepare and complete an Apprenticeship Agreement
Collaborate with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and your apprentice

Receive automatic funding

No formal application is required
Funding is automatically dispersed if criteria are met

Additional information

Employers do not need to submit a separate application; eligible funding is automatically disbursed.
Employers in Nova Scotia may access blended funding from both the Apprenticeship START program and the Canadian Apprenticeship Services (CAS) incentive.

Contacts

apprenticeshipstart@novascotia.ca

1-800-494-5651

NS, Canada

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Apprenticeship START Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Apprenticeship START. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.