Closed
Women in Skilled Trades Initiative
Supports women apprentices in skilled trades
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Timeline
- Open Date : October 12, 2022
- Closing date : December 1, 2022
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides up to $3,000,000 per project to support women in skilled trades apprenticeships. It funds activities that recruit, retain, mentor, and help women succeed in eligible Red Seal trades.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
- Up to 10% of project cost
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
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Recruitment of women apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades
- Mentorship and peer support for women in the trades
- Partnership-building with women’s groups, colleges, unions, and employers
- Supportive workplace and apprenticeship retention activities
- Wrap-around supports such as tutoring and childcare assistance
Documents Needed
- Completed Application for Funding form
- Completed Budget Detail Template
- Completed Attestation
- Letter confirming non-ESDC cash or in-kind contributions, if selected
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Unions or training funds for Red Seal trades workers
- Not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations with non-commercial projects
- Municipal governments
- Indigenous organizations and provincial or territorial governments
Eligible expenses
- Wages and mandatory employment-related costs
- Materials and supplies
- Staff training and professional development
- Professional fees, facilitation, research, and evaluation
- Participant costs such as childcare, transportation, and accommodation
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Land purchase, real property, construction, or renovation
- Core, existing, or ongoing organizational activities
- Costs not related to project activities
- Proposal preparation costs
- Entertainment costs and fines or penalties
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Strength of project objectives and alignment with the program goal
- Quality, realism, and feasibility of activities and timelines
- Expected impact on recruitment, retention, and success of women apprentices
- Quality and reasonableness of the project budget
- Experience of the organization in supporting women in skilled trades
How to apply
1
Read the applicant guide
Read the guide to understand details for each question on the application form.
2
Gather your supporting documents and information
- Prepare a complete Application for Funding form.
- Prepare a complete Budget Detail Template.
3
Decide how to apply
- Register for a GCOS account if you have a CRA business number.
- Use the GCOS to complete and submit the application form and budget template.
- Download and complete the necessary PDF forms.
- Send completed application packages to EDSC.DGOP.SCA-CAS.POB.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca or to the provided mailing address.
Processing and Agreement
- The application is reviewed for completeness and eligibility.
- Applicants may be contacted for missing mandatory information and must respond within 5 business days.
- Funding decisions are expected within 12 to 22 weeks after the submission period ends.
- If approved, a funding agreement must be signed before activities can begin.
- Payments follow the signed agreement and completed claim package process.
Additional information
- Only one application may be submitted per organization under this funding process.
- The program may fund a project in whole or in part.
- Projects are expected to begin in summer 2023.
- For Quebec applicants, Government of Quebec approval may be required before funding is issued.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Women in Skilled Trades Initiative Program
What is the Women in Skilled Trades Initiative?
This program provides up to $3,000,000 per project to support women in skilled trades apprenticeships. It funds activities that recruit, retain, mentor, and help women succeed in eligible Red Seal trades.
How much funding can be received?
Women in Skilled Trades Initiative Funds up to 10% of admissible expenses, capped at $3,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was December 1, 2022.
Who is eligible for the Women in Skilled Trades Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Women in Skilled Trades Initiative program, you must:
Canadian organization
Targets women apprentices in Red Seal trades
Has required non-ESDC contributions
What expenses are eligible under Women in Skilled Trades Initiative?
Recruitment of women apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades
Mentorship and peer support for women in the trades
Partnership-building with women’s groups, colleges, unions, and employers
Supportive workplace and apprenticeship retention activities
Wrap-around supports such as tutoring and childcare assistance
Who can I contact for more information about the Women in Skilled Trades Initiative?
You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) by email at EDSC.DGOP.SCA-CAS.POB.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca.
Where is the Women in Skilled Trades Initiative available?
The Women in Skilled Trades Initiative program is available across Canada.