Incentives & grants

The Government of Canada's 2014 budget announced the creation of the Canada Apprenticeship Loan to provide apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with interest-free loans to assist with the cost of technical training. Administered by the Canada Apprentice Loan Service Centre (CALSC).    

Apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program who meet the eligibility requirements for CAL may receive:    

• Up to $4,000 in loans per period of technical training;
• Up to five funded periods of technical training; and,
• Up to six years of interest-free status.

Please note that a borrower cannot receive both a Canada Student Loan and a Canada Apprenticeship Loan for the same technical training.    

The non-repayable Tools Grant is available for apprentices as of August 2020. As an apprentice, this grant will help you pay for tools and equipment for your trade.

Apply for the Tools Grant

Employment Ontario Employment Services (EOES) participants

The Apprenticeship Scholarship provides $1,000 to support individuals who require upgrading to meet the academic eligibility requirements for apprenticeship training in their chosen trade. The scholarship is available to ES clients.    

• An initial $500 payment when the individual is registered for upgrading; and,
• A final $500 payment when the individual has successfully completed upgrading, is employed and has a registered apprenticeship training agreement or contract with the ministry

To learn more about eligibility for the Apprenticeship Scholarship please contact the Community Career Centre or email waterloocareercentre@conestogac.on.ca and our staff would be pleased to assist.    

Note: The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (ACG) will end March 31, 2025. Applications will not be accepted after this date. Please see the Government of Canada website for details.

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) helps you pay for expenses while you train as an apprentice in a designated Red Seal Trade. 

• The AIG is a taxable grant worth $1,000 per level, awarded to registered apprentices.
• You must complete your first year/level (or equivalent) to apply for the AIG.
• You can apply for this grant twice during your training (for a maximum of $2,000).
• You can apply for your second AIG after completing your second year/level (or equivalent) of training.

Note: The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) will end March 31, 2025. Applications will not be accepted after this date. Please see the Government of Canada website for details.

The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a $2,000 taxable cash grant designed to encourage apprentices registered in a designated Red Seal Trade to complete their apprenticeship program and receive their certification.  

The completion grant will be offered to apprentices who complete their training, become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal Trade, and obtain either the Red Seal endorsement or a provincial or territorial Certificate of Qualification.

Completion of an apprenticeship program in Ontario in a trade that is designated as a non-Red Seal on or after April 1, 2009. Apprentices must have received an Ontario Certificate of Apprenticeship for a non-Red Seal trade that does not have an Ontario Certification of Qualification examination; or an Ontario Certification of Apprenticeship and an Ontario Certificate of Qualification for a trade that has an Ontario Certificate of Qualification examination on or after April 1, 2009. Visit ontario.ca for more information about the Apprenticeship Completion Bonus (non-Red Seal). 

The new tradesperson's tools deduction provides employed tradespersons with an annual deduction of up to $500 to help cover the cost of new tools necessary to their trade. The deduction applies to the total cost of eligible tools if the following conditions are met:    

• the total cost exceeds $1,000
  
• the tools were bought after May 1, 2006
  
• the purchase was made by an employed tradesperson

You will be able to claim the new tradesperson's tools deduction as part of your total employment expenses deduction on line 229 of your income tax return. To support your claim, you will also need to attach a completed Form T777, Statement of Employment Expenses, to your income tax return. Your employer will have to complete and sign Form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment, to certify that you are required to provide these tools as a condition of, and for use in, your employment.    

If you are enrolled in a block-release apprenticeship program, you may be eligible to receive EI benefits while unemployed and attending your program. For more information, visit Employment Insurance for apprentices.    

For apprentices who have completed a level of full-time apprenticeship in-school training at an approved MCU Training Delivery Agent on or after January 1, 2010 while being registered as an Ontario apprentice without being eligible for Employment Insurance benefits for the duration of the level of in-school training.    

Many program-specific awards are administered by individual programs. Students should talk to their faculty or program coordinators about additional awards available in their specific programs. Information and application forms for all awards, bursaries and scholarships are administered by the Student Financial Services.    

A variety of awards and scholarships are posted on the Skills Ontario website.