How much funding can be received?

Employers can receive $5,000 to hire a first-year apprentice and $5,000 more for an equity-deserving apprentice, in one of the 39 Red Seal construction or manufacturing trades. Equity-deserving groups include women, Indigenous people, persons with disabil

Financing terms and conditions

$5,000 financial incentive for each eligible new first-year apprentice hired.
$10,000 financial incentive for each eligible new first-year apprentice hired from an equity-deserving group.

Eligible projects & activities

Hiring first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades.
Hiring first-year apprentices from equity-deserving groups to promote workplace diversity.
Participating in initiatives to create more inclusive and supportive environments within the skilled trades sectors.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 10,000

Employ a first-year apprentice to support an HVAC installation

$ 10,000

Hire a first-year apprentice with disability for a plumbing project

$ 10,000

Engage a first-year female apprentice in a welding project

$ 10,000

Hire two first-year apprentices for a woodworking project

$ 10,000

Engage an equity-deserving apprentice for a welding project

$ 10,000

Hire a first-year apprentice from an Indigenous group for an electrical project

Eligibility criteria of the Career Launcher Apprenticeship Program program

The applicant must be a small or medium-sized business with 499 or fewer paid employees.
The company must be hiring new first-year apprentices in one of the 39 eligible Red Seal trades.

Who is eligible?

Small and medium-sized construction businesses
Small and medium-sized manufacturing businesses

Eligible expenses

Financial incentives for hiring new first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades.
Increased financial incentives for hiring apprentices from equity-deserving groups.

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses operating anywhere in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Career Launcher Apprenticeship Program program

Financial incentives for small and medium-sized employers in construction and manufacturing sectors
Hiring first-year apprentices in 39 Red Seal trades
Promoting equitable work and learning opportunities for all Canadians
Preference for apprentices who self-identify as members of eligible equity-deserving groups
Specific focus on women, Indigenous people, newcomers, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and 2SLGBTQI+ people
Total of 5,360 apprentices benefiting over two years, with 1,300 from equity-deserving groups

How to apply to the Career Launcher Apprenticeship Program program

Registration on the portal

Register your organization on the dedicated funding agency portal.
Create a user account to access grant services.

Review of criteria

Check your company's and apprentices' eligibility against the mentioned criteria, such as the number of employees and eligible trades.
Confirm that you meet the specifics of underrepresented groups to qualify for additional funding.

Preparation of documentation

Prepare the necessary documents, such as proof of employment and company documents.
Gather information related to newly hired apprentices, including their membership in underrepresented groups, if applicable.

Submission of the application

Access the online application form via the portal.
Fill in all mandatory sections of the form with accurate and complete information.
Attach all required supporting documents.
Submit the application before the deadline set by the agency.

Follow-up and confirmation

Receive receipt confirmation via email once the application is submitted.
Note the application tracking number for future reference.

Additional information

This program concluded in March 2024 and is no longer accepting new applications.
CICan collaborated with multiple colleges and institutes to promote diversity and inclusion in the skilled trades workforce.
Employers benefited from access to resources and tools aimed at creating more inclusive workplaces.