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Apprenticeship START
Funding for Nova Scotia apprenticeship hiring and retention
Last Update: June 19, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
The Apprenticeship START program provides up to $30,000 in funding to help employers in Nova Scotia register and support apprentices through to certification. It supports apprenticeship agreements and on-the-job training for new, unemployed, and equity-deserving apprentices.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- People with disabilities
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Registering and employing apprentices in Nova Scotia.
- Supporting apprentices as they progress through their apprenticeship program.
- Registering and employing equity-deserving apprentices.
- Transitioning youth apprentices or recent graduates to full-time employment.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small and 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 Halifax Regional Municipality, Truro, and Sydney, unless registering an equity-deserving apprentice.
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
- Halifax Regional Municipality
- Truro
- Sydney
How to apply
- Step 1: Complete Apprenticeship Agreement
- Complete an Apprenticeship Agreement with the apprentice and the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.
- Step 2: Eligibility Review
- An Industry Training Consultant reviews the agreement and determines eligibility.
- Step 3: Receive Funding
- If eligible, funding is automatically dispersed to the employer.
Processing and Agreement
- The apprenticeship agreement is reviewed by an Industry Training Consultant.
- Eligibility is determined after review of the agreement.
- If eligible, funding is dispersed to the employer.
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
Frequently Asked Questions about the Apprenticeship START Program
What is the Apprenticeship START?
The Apprenticeship START program provides up to $30,000 in funding to help employers in Nova Scotia register and support apprentices through to certification. It supports apprenticeship agreements and on-the-job training for new, unemployed, and equity-deserving apprentices.
How much funding can be received?
Apprenticeship START Funds up to $25,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Apprenticeship START program?
To be eligible for the Apprenticeship START program, you must:
Nova Scotia employer
499 employees or fewer
15 active apprentices or fewer
What expenses are eligible under Apprenticeship START?
Registering and employing apprentices in Nova Scotia.
Supporting apprentices as they progress through their apprenticeship program.
Registering and employing equity-deserving apprentices.
Transitioning youth apprentices or recent graduates to full-time employment.
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.
Where is the Apprenticeship START available?
The Apprenticeship START program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the Apprenticeship START a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Apprenticeship START is a Grant and Funding