“We are always looking to hire good apprentices or enroll general labourers into apprenticeship programs if they show interest and potential,” said Butler. “I think what this program helped us do is encourage some of our existing staff to upgrade their education level by enrolling in a trade program. This has helped our business with employee retention, talent development, and filling positions that have been a challenge to fill recently.”

Butler noted that the application for the grant was a simple process, even providing applicants with a job developer to walk them through the administrative process.

Employers eligible can access $5,000 per apprentice for a maximum of two Level 1 apprentices per employer, per year; or $10,000 per apprentice for a maximum of two Level 1 apprentices per year if the apprentice identifies as being from an equity-deserving group. Within the first six months of grants being issued, 47 per cent of the apprentices self-identified as being from an equity-deserving group.

Already looking to enroll a general labourer who has a keen desire to become a journeyperson machinist into an apprenticeship program in the coming months, Aaron Machine Shop Ltd, offered these thoughts for those who have not yet looked at the Canadian Apprenticeship Service program.

“I would highly encourage any business owner who employs tradespeople to take part in this program. It is really simple to get registered, approved, and funded. The funding helps cover the direct and indirect costs of training new apprentices. In the current hiring market, we have found it challenging to fill critical roles, and this program has helped us use training and apprenticeship opportunities to fill this void.”

The Canadian Apprenticeship Service program is open until March 2024.

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