How much funding can be received?

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.

Financing terms and conditions

The Native Women’s Association of Canada’s National Apprenticeship Program provides financial incentives to employers engaging with Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender-diverse apprentices. Funding is structured to support hiring and training in Red Seal Trades.

Initial funding of $10,000 for hiring a new, first-year apprentice in a Red Seal Trade.
Maximum financial incentive of $20,000 for the creation of up to two new positions per year.

Eligible projects & activities

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.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 10,000

Hiring and training a gender-diverse apprentice in culinary arts

$ 10,000

Apprenticeship in electrical work for transgender individuals

$ 10,000

Training a Two-Spirit apprentice in masonry

$ 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 an Indigenous apprentice in automotive repair

Eligibility criteria of the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program program

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.

Eligibility criteria of the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program program

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 to the Native Women’s Association of Canada — National Apprenticeships Program program

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 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.