ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative

Q: How much funding can be received?

ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative Funds up to 3000000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?

ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative?

ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Government of Canada

Q: Who is eligible for the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program?

To be eligible for the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program, you must: • For-profit organizations are eligible if activities are non-commercial and support program objectives. • Organization must be located in Canada. • Only one application per organization per funding process.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative?

You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Q: Where is the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative available?

The ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program is available across Canada.

Q: Are women eligible for the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program?

Yes, women are eligible to apply for the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program.

Last Update: July 30, 2025

Canada

Money for projects that support women in apprenticeship

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $3,000,000

Timeline

Open Date : October 12, 2022
Closing date : December 1, 2022

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Construction
Manufacturing

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

Your organization could receive up to $3 million for projects up to 48 months in duration that will recruit, retain and help women apprentices succeed in 1 of the 39 eligible Red Seal trades.

Financing terms and conditions

Eligible organizations can apply for up to $3,000,000 per project for a duration of up to 48 months.
Projects must secure cash contributions from sources other than ESDC equal to or greater than 10% of the total project cost, which may include in-kind contributions under certain conditions.
Only one application per eligible organization is allowed under this funding process.

Activities funded

Organizing women-led events to attract women to the skilled trades.
Creating partnerships with women’s groups, community colleges, unions, or employers to promote the eligible Red Seal trades.
Supporting women's progression through a Red Seal apprenticeship in at least one of the 39 eligible trades.
Offering mentorship by female role models, establishing women-in-the-skilled-trades networks, and providing opportunities to share success stories.
Creating welcoming and safe workplaces and training environments for women in the skilled trades.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 600,000

Developing mentorship programs for female electricians

$ 450,000

Creating women-led events to engage female apprentices in plumbing trade

$ 500,000

Organizing mentorship networks for female welders

$ 750,000

Providing wrap-around supports for female heavy-duty equipment technicians

$ 350,000

Creating partnerships to promote women in carpentry trade

$ 650,000

Creating a safe, welcoming workplace for female automotive service technicians

Eligibility

The applicant organization must be located in Canada.
The organization must be one of the following types: union representing workers in Red Seal trades or an organization managing training funds for Red Seal trades workers, not-for-profit organization, for-profit organization (with non-commercial, non-profit generating project intent), municipal government, Indigenous organization (such as band or tribal council, self-government entity), or provincial/territorial government (including agencies, institutions, or Crown corporations).
The project must target women apprentices in at least one of the 39 eligible Red Seal trades designated in the relevant province(s) or territory(ies).
The project must include contributions (cash or eligible in-kind) from sources other than Employment and Social Development Canada, equal to at least 10% of the total project cost.

Who is eligible?

Unions representing workers in eligible Red Seal trades
Organizations managing training funds for Red Seal trades workers
Not-for-profit organizations
For-profit organizations (for non-commercial, non-profit-generating projects supporting program priorities)
Municipal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments or organizations (including band councils, tribal councils, self-government entities, agencies, institutions, and Crown corporations)

Who is not eligible

Organizations whose activity is for profit and aims at generating commercial profits that do not support the priorities and objectives of the program.
Companies wishing to submit multiple applications for the same call for projects (only one application per eligible organization is accepted).
Organizations proposing project activities already submitted under the Learning Innovation component of the Union Training and Innovation Program (PFIMS).

Eligible expenses

Costs associated with organizing women-led events.
Expenses for creating partnerships with women’s groups, community colleges, unions, or employers to promote Red Seal trades.
Mentorship and networking support costs, including honoraria or fees for female role models and network facilitators.
Creation of safe and welcoming workplaces for women, such as facility improvements or accommodations.
Wrap-around supports, such as expenses related to guidance, tutoring, and childcare or flexible childcare arrangements for participants.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations located in Canada, including all provinces and territories.
Applicants in Quebec are eligible but must obtain additional approval from the Government of Quebec.

Selection criteria

Clarity and relevance of project objectives, specifically focused on recruiting, retaining, and supporting women apprentices in at least one of the 39 eligible Red Seal trades.
Quality and feasibility of project activities, timelines, and milestones, ensuring they are specific, detailed, and realistic.
Expected impact and results, including the project's contribution to the recruitment, retention, and success of women apprentices, as well as the organization's approach to measuring and reporting outcomes.
Justification of project costs, demonstrating reasonable, detailed, and well-supported budget aligned with project activities.
Priority consideration for projects supporting women in diverse regions, demonstrating capacity to assist a significant number of women, and organizations with five or more years of relevant experience.

How to apply

Read the Applicant Guide

Review the guide thoroughly to understand the application questions and requirements.

Gather Supporting Documents and Information

Complete the Application for Funding form.
Fill out the Budget Detail Template.

Decide How to Apply

Apply Online using Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS):
Register for a GCOS account if your organization has a CRA business number.
Upload the completed budget template in GCOS.
Apply by Email or Mail:
Download and complete the necessary forms in PDF.
Submit the application package to the designated email or mailing address.

Additional information

Priority may be given to projects that support women in diverse regions across Canada.
Applicants in Quebec may require approval from the Government of Quebec if their project is accepted for funding.
Information sessions were held to guide applicants on the application process.
Incomplete or incorrect applications may be refused, but applicants will be contacted to provide missing mandatory information before eligibility is determined.

Documents and links

ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative. 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 ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative?

Who is eligible for the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program?

Who can I contact for more information about the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative?

Where is the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative available?

Are women eligible for the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program?

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