ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative
Last Update: July 30, 2025
Canada
Money for projects that support women in apprenticeship
ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative 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
Grant Providers
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- Government of Canada
Program status
Closed
Overview of the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program
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.
Eligible projects & activities
- 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 criteria of the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program
- 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.
Eligibility criteria of the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program
- 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 to the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program
1
Read the Applicant Guide
Review the guide thoroughly to understand the application questions and requirements.
2
Gather Supporting Documents and Information
- Complete the Application for Funding form.
- Fill out the Budget Detail Template.
3
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.
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