Apprenticeship START

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

• 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)

• 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.