Closed
ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative
Money for projects that support women in apprenticeship
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Timeline
- Open Date : October 12, 2022
- Closing date : December 1, 2022
Location
Canada
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.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : October 12, 2022
- Closing date : December 1, 2022
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Construction
- Manufacturing
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Employment and Training
- Unions
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Women & girls
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
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.
Eligibility
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative Program
What is the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative?
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.
How much funding can be received?
ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative Funds up to $3,000,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was December 1, 2022.
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.
What expenses are eligible under ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative?
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.
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).
Where is the ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative available?
The ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative program is available across Canada.