Apprenticeship START
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
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
1
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
2
Complete Apprenticeship Agreement
- Prepare and complete an Apprenticeship Agreement
- Collaborate with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and your apprentice
3
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
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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.
What is the Apprenticeship START?
How much funding can be received?
What expenses are eligible under Apprenticeship START?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Apprenticeship START a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Apprenticeship START?
Who is eligible for the Apprenticeship START program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Apprenticeship START?
Where is the Apprenticeship START available?
Are women eligible for the Apprenticeship START program?
Are youth (under 40) eligible for the Apprenticeship START program?
Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Apprenticeship START program?
Are Black Canadians eligible for the Apprenticeship START program?
Apply to this program