Closed

Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was December 31, 2023.

Q: Who is eligible for the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program program?

To be eligible for the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program program, you must: The business must have 499 or fewer paid employees. The business must have the facilities and equipment to adequately transfer skills to the apprentice(s). The business must meet any regulations applying to the trade, such as wage rates and ratios.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program?

You can contact Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC).

Q: Where is the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program available?

The Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program program is available across Canada.

Last Update: March 4, 2026

Canada

Get funding to train new workers

Grant and Funding

Native Women’s Association of Canada

Overview

The Native Women’s Association of Canada’s National Apprenticeship Program provides up to $20,000 to small and medium-sized businesses hiring Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse apprentices in Red Seal Trades. The program aims to build skills, address labour shortages, and promote diversity and reconciliation through inclusive hiring practices.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Develop employee skills

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 20,000 $
Minimum amount : 10,000 $

Timeline

Open Date : January 1, 2023
Closing date : December 31, 2023

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Construction
Manufacturing

Location

Canada

Legal structures

For-profit business

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

499 employees maximum

Audience

Indigenous Peoples
2SLGBTQI+
Women

Activities funded

Recruitment and hiring of new, first-year apprentices in Red Seal Trades.
Providing culturally safe integration and training environments for apprentices.
Facilitating apprenticeship progression in various trades.
Offering financial incentives to businesses for hiring and training eligible apprentices.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 10,000

Apprenticeship in electrical work for transgender individuals

$ 10,000

Hiring and training a Two-Spirit apprentice in carpentry

$ 10,000

Hiring and training an Indigenous woman apprentice in HVAC

$ 10,000

Hiring and training a gender-diverse apprentice in culinary arts

$ 10,000

Training a Two-Spirit apprentice in masonry

$ 10,000

Hiring an Indigenous apprentice in automotive repair

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by the business's ability to meet certain criteria that ensure a supportive environment for the apprenticeship.

The business must have 499 or fewer paid employees.
The business must have the facilities and equipment to adequately transfer skills to the apprentice(s).
The business must be able to meet any regulations applying to their trade, such as wage rates and ratios.

Who is eligible?

Eligible types of companies for this grant include:

Small and medium sized businesses

Who is not eligible

Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant. Only the following types are eligible:

Small and medium sized businesses

Eligible expenses

The grant provides financial incentives to support the onboarding and training of newly hired apprentices in specific trades.

Initial financial incentive for hiring a new, first-year apprentice in a Red Seal Trade.
Support for ensuring a culturally safe integration of the apprentice.
Assistance in reducing the cost of training apprentices.
Financial support for apprenticeship progression.

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:

Business must be a small or medium-sized enterprise
Positions must be for first-year Red Seal Apprentices
Priority given to businesses that prioritize diversity and inclusion

How to apply

Sign up

Create an account on NWAC's National Apprenticeship Program (NAP) website.
Provide necessary business information to register.

Post a Job

Log into your account on the NAP website.
Post a job listing for a new apprentice position in a Red Seal Trade.
Ensure the job listing specifies the inclusive hiring focus for Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse individuals.

Hire an Apprentice

Review applications received through the NAP job board.
Select and hire a suitable candidate for the apprentice position.
Complete any necessary employment agreements.

Register the Apprenticeship

Register the apprentice with the relevant apprenticeship authority in your region.
Ensure all regional and trade-specific regulations are followed.

Receive Funding

Once the apprenticeship registration is confirmed, apply for the funding through NWAC.
Receive the initial $10,000 funding for the new apprentice.
Ensure all conditions for continuing funding are met to receive any additional incentives.

Additional information

Additional relevant details about the NWAC's NAP job board:

NWAC's NAP aims to address labor shortages while promoting cultural diversity and inclusion.
The program encourages employers to ensure a culturally safe work environment for apprentices.
Funding can be applied to a maximum of two positions per year, creating significant opportunities for participating apprentices.

Documents and links

Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program. 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 Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Who is eligible for the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program program?

What expenses are eligible under Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program?

The Native Women’s Association of Canada’s National Apprenticeships Program focuses on creating opportunities and building skills through apprenticeships for Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse people. It aims to facilitate culturally safe work environments and support various sectors in addressing labor shortages. Recruitment and hiring of new, first-year apprentices in Red Seal Trades. Providing culturally safe integration and training environments for apprentices. Facilitating apprenticeship progression in various trades. Offering financial incentives to businesses for hiring and training eligible apprentices.