Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Investments in Training Equipment
Canada
Support for Red Seal trades training equipment acquisition
grant_single|update March 26, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Construction
grant_single|grantors
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Investments in Training Equipment provides funding of up to $5,000,000 per project to support the acquisition of training equipment and materials that adhere to industry standards for apprentices in Red Seal trades. Eligible activities include purchasing new or refurbished technology and equipment that enhances apprenticeship training quality within designated Red Seal trades.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- Funding amount of up to $5,000,000 per project is available.
- Only contributions in cash are eligible under this funding process, and contributions in-kind are not applicable.
- Funds are available for purchasing new or refurbished training equipment and materials that comply with industry standards.
- Eligible expenses must be directly related to training pre-apprentices and apprentices in Red Seal trades.
- Purchases made before the formal agreement will not be eligible for funding.
- A contribution in cash must be equal or exceed 50% of the cost of new and modern equipment and materials, including GST/HST. However, this can be reduced to 30% if at least 50% of project activities are affected by specific challenges (remote location, limited infrastructure access, or limited partnership opportunities).
- Funding decisions follow Employment and Social Development Canada’s standard timelines, taking 4 to 6 months.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Purchase of new or refurbished equipment for training pre-apprentices and apprentices in Red Seal trades.
- Purchase of training materials that meet industry standards.
- Projects aimed at improving skills training quality for pre-apprentices and apprentices in designated Red Seal trades.
- Projects that support the acquisition of environmental skills in connection with Red Seal trades.
- Projects implementing activities in various regions (excluding Quebec), including remote areas.
- Data collection and communication of project results.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 20,000
Establishing a mobile mental health support unit
$ 10,000
Developing a community garden to promote sustainable agriculture
$ 8,000
Implementing digital literacy workshops for senior citizens
$ 15,000
Enhancing local arts through public art installations
$ 12,000
Launching an eco-friendly packaging initiative for local retailers
$ 7,000
Building a food rescue program to reduce waste
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- The applicant must be a union representing workers in Red Seal trades, an organization managing training trust funds for such unions, or a training provider offering technical training as part of a recognized apprenticeship program for a Red Seal trade.
- The organization must not be located in Quebec, as the grant does not apply to organizations within Quebec.
- Projects must target training for pre-apprentices and apprentices in Red Seal trades and support trades designated under the Red Seal Program.
- Applicaing organizations can receive only up to $5,000,000 per fiscal year.
- Contributions from non-governmental sources must equal or exceed 50% of the cost of new and modern equipment and materials, or 30% if the project is significantly impacted by specific challenges like remote location or limited infrastructure.
- Only cash contributions are permitted in this process; in-kind contributions are not eligible.
- The applicant must provide all necessary supporting documents, such as quotes for equipment and material purchases, and for unions, evidence of collective agreements.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Unions representing workers in the Red Seal trades
- Organizations managing training trust funds for unions representing workers in the Red Seal trades
- Training providers offering technical training to apprentices as part of a recognized apprenticeship program for a Red Seal trade
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Organizations located in Quebec.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Purchase of new or refurbished training equipment.
- Purchase of training materials directly related to the training of pre-apprentices and apprentices in a Red Seal trade.
- Data collection and reporting results costs.
- Advanced technology and software, including simulators (e.g., tower crane, backhoe, virtual reality simulator).
- Geo-thermal training systems.
- Metal sheets for training activities (e.g., welding).
- Transportation trailers for mobile classrooms used in remote areas.
- Electric vehicles used exclusively for training automotive mechanics.
- Computers, tablets, and laptops used exclusively to operate technology for training purposes.
- Mandatory protective equipment for training purposes only.
- Salaries or professional fees (including employer-related costs) for reporting purposes only (maximum $3,900 per project).
grant_single_labels|criteria
- The completeness of the application, including all required documents such as the detailed budget model and supplier quotes for training equipment and materials.
- Eligibility of the organization applying for the grant based on the criteria set by the program.
- Alignment of the project with the grant’s objective to improve the training quality of pre-apprentices and apprentices in Red Seal trades.
- Admissibility of the project activities that support the purchase of equipment compliant with industry standards.
- Admissibility of project expenses in supporting the outlined activities.
- The project's support for trades designated within the Red Seal interprovincial standards program.
- Adequate financial contribution from sources other than the Government of Canada, whether at 50% or justified 30% of the costs, depending on specific project challenges.
- Demonstrated need for investment in new technologies or training materials that meet industry standards.
- Proposed acquisition of equipment and materials that encourage the development of environmental skills for pre-apprentices and apprentices.
- The project's alignment with current and emerging priorities of the Government of Canada, which may evolve over time.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Prepare your documents (initial preparation)
- Complete the funding application form.
- Fill out the detailed budget template.
- Obtain quotes for the proposed equipment or training materials.
- Step 2: Use the SELSC portal (submission via SELSC)
- Create or access your account on the SELSC.
- Download and fill out the application form and the budget template.
- Upload all required supporting documents in the SELSC application system.
- Submit the funding application via the SELSC.
- Step 3: Follow up on the application (confirmation and follow-up)
- Receive an automatic acknowledgment with a tracking number after submission via the SELSC.
- Keep the acknowledgment for future reference.
- Step 4: Submit by email (alternative option)
- Use a compatible PDF reader to fill out the downloadable form.
- Email the form and documentation to the provided address.
- Avoid submitting the same application multiple times to expedite processing.
- Step 5: Await decision (ongoing assessment)
- Know that funding decisions may take four to six months.
- Do not initiate the project before receiving funding approval.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- The application process is ongoing, with no specified closing date for submissions. This means that applications can be submitted and evaluated continuously.
- Funding decisions are made continuously and may take four to six months from the date of application submission.
- If the application is incomplete, the applicant will be contacted via email and will have five business days to provide the missing information. Failure to provide the requested information within this period may result in the rejection of the application.
- An acknowledgment of receipt and a tracking number will be provided immediately if the application is submitted via the SELSC platform.
- For tax reimbursement from the Canada Revenue Agency for the purchase of equipment and materials, the reimbursed amount should be deducted from the total project cost. It is the responsibility of the applicant to apply for this reimbursement.
- The priority will be given to projects proposed by organizations that do not receive funding more than once per fiscal year, even though eligible organizations may submit multiple applications within a fiscal year.
- All forms and support documents should be in PDF format, and applicants must use an up-to-date PDF reader for forms.
- Equipment purchased must meet industry standards and only refurbished equipment meeting these standards is eligible; used equipment is not eligible.
- Projects are subject to financial limitations and not all applications will be funded, even if they meet the baseline requirements.
grant_single_labels|contact
EDSC.SCA.EQUIP.MAT-EQUIP.MAT.CAS.ESDC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
