How much funding can be received?

Employers can receive a $5,000 cash incentive to hire first-year apprentices in the 39 Red Seal Trades and an additional $5,000 if the apprentice is from an underrepresented group. Equity-deserving groups include women, Indigenous People, persons with dis

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant is available to Canadian-owned companies involved in the electricity industry. The eligibility is based on the company's primary activity and operational focus rather than specific geographic restrictions.

Companies must be Canadian-owned, indicating operations in Canada.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$9,000

Create a part-time work-learning opportunity for a student in mechanical engineering

$10,000

Provide hands-on training for a new culinary apprentice in a local restaurant

$10,000

Offer a full-time paid internship to an Indigenous software development student

$10,000

Provide a work-integrated learning opportunity for a first-year electrician apprentice

$10,000

Support a first-year welding apprentice with a structured apprenticeship program

$10,000

Engage a first-year HVAC technician apprentice in meaningful work experience

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the employer organization.

The employer must be a Canadian-owned company.
The company's primary activity must be the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.
Sector support, including renewables, in areas such as research and development, business development, and energy efficiency are included.
Employers engaged in the manufacturing of equipment or the provision of services necessary for generation, transmission, or distribution are eligible.
Post-secondary institutions are not eligible for funding.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The Empowering Futures Program is available to Canadian-owned companies involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, including sectors supporting renewables like R&D, business development, and energy efficiency. It also supports firms engaged in manufacturing or providing services for electricity generation, transmission, or distribution. The program is also inclusive to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons with refugee protection who are students registered in a post-secondary institution and legally able to work in Canada. The placements must provide meaningful work-integrated learning opportunities aligned with students' academic programs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Based on the provided context, there are specific companies and industries that are not eligible for this grant due to their operational focus and type of institution. These restrictions help align the program with targeted sectors for workforce development in the electricity industry.

Non-Canadian-owned companies.
Post-Secondary institutions.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible projects and activities for the Empowering Futures grant focus on increasing work-integrated learning opportunities in Canada's electricity sector. These activities aim to build the future workforce through strategic and meaningful student placements.

Creation of new co-op positions, internships, and work placements related to students' fields of study within the electricity and related sectors.
Positions in organizations that generate, transmit, or distribute electricity, including those in renewable energy, R&D, business development, and energy efficiency.
Opportunities in manufacturing or service provision needed for electricity generation, transmission, or distribution.
Development and implementation of formal learning plans and professional skills training as part of the work-integrated learning experience.
Partnerships between employers and post-secondary institutions to ensure curricula align with sector needs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant subsidizes wages for new Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities for eligible students.

Reimbursement for 50% of the student's gross pay, up to $5,000 per placement.
Reimbursement of 70% of the student's gross pay, up to $7,000 for eligible students such as first-year students, women in STEM, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous peoples.

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Employers and participants are evaluated based on specific requirements to determine eligibility for funding.

Employer Organization Eligibility
Participant Eligibility
Employment Eligibility
Net New Rule
Subsidy Reimbursement for Students

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Submit Employer Application
- Employers must submit their application to participate in the Empowering Futures Program.
Step 2: Participant Eligibility Submission
- Participants, or students, need to complete and send an eligibility form confirming their qualification for the program.
Step 3: Application Processing
- Allow up to 10 business days for your application and eligibility form to be processed.
Step 4: Sign Contract
- For successful applicants, the employer, participant, and EHRC will sign a contract.
Step 5: Develop Learning Plan
- The employer and participant will collaboratively create a Learning Plan outlining the goals and objectives for the placement.
Step 6: Monthly Claims Submission
- Employers submit monthly financial claims for reimbursement and progress reports for each student.
Step 7: Evaluation Survey Completion
- Both the employer and the participant complete an evaluation survey upon completion of the placement.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The "net new" rule requires validation of increased student hires compared to the baseline year before program entry.
A Formal Learning Plan must be devised with the participant before the placement starts.
The company must provide EHRC with monthly financial claims and progress reports for each student.
Enhanced subsidies are available for first-year students, women in STEM, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous peoples.
The program includes access to a Professional Skills Training Program for participants at no additional cost.

grant_single_labels|documents

EHRC — Apprenticeship Service Program

Apply to this program

Empowering Futures: Elevate Your Workforce with Student Talent

The Empowering Futures program offers wage subsidies of up to $7,000 to employers who create new Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities in the electricity sector for students. By fostering these student placements, the program builds a stronger and diversified workforce for the electricity industry while reducing financial risks for employers.

Exploring the Empowering Futures Program: A Pathway for Workforce Development in the Electricity Sector

The Empowering Futures program, initiated by Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) and funded through the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), is a pivotal initiative designed to bolster the talent pipeline within the Canadian electricity sector. By promoting work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities, the program aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring students gain valuable experience that aligns with their educational pursuits in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, and business disciplines.

The program provides substantial financial incentives to Canadian-owned companies whose operations are primarily focused on the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, as well as those involved in supporting sectors such as renewables, research and development, and energy efficiency. By offering up to $7,000 per student placement, the program reduces the financial burden on employers, encouraging them to hire students who are poised to contribute innovative ideas and fresh perspectives to the industry.

To qualify for these subsidies, employers must create new WIL positions that reflect an increase over their historical hiring levels, ensuring the funding supports tangible growth in student employment. This "net new" criterion ensures that subsidies are allocated to expanding opportunities, rather than maintaining existing ones, thus enhancing workforce development.

The Empowering Futures program is not just about financial support; it also incorporates a structured approach to learning and development. Employers are required to develop a formal learning plan for each placement, fostering an environment where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings and acquire essential professional skills such as active listening, collaboration, and social perceptiveness. This opportunity for real-world application of skills ensures that students are better prepared for future careers, making the transition from education to employment smoother and more effective.

Moreover, the program recognizes and supports diversity by offering increased subsidies for first-year students, women in STEM, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous peoples. This approach not only addresses current workforce shortages but also promotes inclusivity within the industry.

Participating employers, by engaging with the program, can expect to benefit in several ways. They can explore the potential of prospective future employees in a low-risk setting, as the financial backing from the program offsets the traditional cost barriers associated with hiring students. This structure allows businesses to innovate and adapt quickly to emerging trends and demands within the electricity sector, without the added pressure of unsustainable financial commitments.

Throughout the placement, employers are guided by a collaborative process involving EHRC, which provides resources and support to ensure the successful execution of placements. Monthly claims and progress reports are part of the ongoing feedback mechanism, ensuring transparency and accountability for both employers and students involved.

The Empowering Futures program ultimately lays the groundwork for a more robust, dynamic, and innovative electricity sector. By investing in the training and development of young Canadians, it not only prepares them for future roles within the industry but also ensures that the sector as a whole can continue to evolve and meet the challenges of an increasingly decentralized and advanced energy landscape.

This initiative exemplifies effective collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of aligning curricular content with the practical needs of the workforce, thereby strengthening the sector as a whole. The Empowering Futures program represents an invaluable opportunity for both students and employers to build the networks and skills necessary for continued growth and success in the electricity industry.