ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative

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.

• 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.

• Step 1: Read the Applicant Guide
  • Review the applicant guide to understand the process and requirements for completing the application form.
• Step 2: Gather Supporting Documents
  • Prepare a complete Application for Funding form.
  • Complete the Budget Detail Template.
• Step 3: Decide How to Apply
  • Choose your application method: online (GCOS), email, or mail.
• Step 4: Submit Your Application
  • If applying online, use Grants and Contributions Online Services (GCOS) to complete and upload your application and budget documents.
  • If applying by email or mail, download and fill out the Application for Funding form and Budget Detail Template, complete the attestation, then send your package by email to EDSC.DGOP.SCA-CAS.POB.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca or by mail to the specified address.
  • If necessary, mention in your email if some documents are being sent separately by mail.
• Step 5: Confirmation of Receipt
  • If submitted online or by email, receive automatic confirmation of receipt.
  • If submitted by mail, receive confirmation by email within 14 calendar days after the closing date, using the email address provided in your application.

• 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.