The Canadian federal government is running a pilot program in an effort to support women in apprenticeships by offering grants worth $3,000! In Canada, far more men take up apprenticeships than women, according to Statistics Canada and the Conference Board of Canada:

Now, to even out the numbers, and support women who are underrepresented in particular trades, comes the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women pilot project, which concludes March 31, 2023.

Who's eligible for apprenticeship funding?

If you self-identify as a woman, and you're a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person, you're not in high school, and you've completed your first year (or level) of training, consider applying.

You also must be registered with your local apprenticeship authority as an apprentice in a Red Seal trade where women are underrepresented. This excludes the following trades:

• Baker
• Cook
• Hairstylist
• Landscape-horticulturalist
• Parts technician (parts person)

So, if you're a Canadian woman, and a registered apprentice in a Red Seal trade (excluding the five listed above) you could be eligible for a $3,000 grant.

How do I apply for an apprenticeship grant?

Assuming you've progressed in your apprenticeship on or after March 31, 2022, you have until March 31, 2023 to apply for a grant.

Be sure to apply using the steps below, even if you haven't yet received all the documents from your apprenticeship authority. (You'll have time to submit the necessary documents after your application.)

Step 1: Gather your documents

Each provincial and territorial apprenticeship authority has its own specific document(s) you'll need to provide:

• Alberta: Copy of the Apprenticeship Period Completion letter
• British Columbia: Copy of the Confirmation of Progression letter
• Manitoba: Signed copy of the Apprenticeship Level Completion letter
• New Brunswick: Signed copy of the Official Level Completion letter
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Signed copy of the Conformation of Block/Level Completed letter
• Northwest Territories: Copy of the Certificate of Status for the Second or Third Level (as appropriate)
• Nova Scotia: Signed copy of the Record of Progress letter
• Nunavut: Copy of the Certificate of Status for the Second or Third Period Level, as appropriate
• Ontario: Copy of the official Confirmation of Progress for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women letter
• Prince Edward Island: Signed copy of Confirmation of Progress for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women Letter
• Qu?bec: Copy of the Accomplishment letter of first or second level, or a copy of the Confirmation of Participation letter
• Saskatchewan: Copy of the Y2 or Y3 Card, as appropriate
• Yukon: Signed copy of the Level Completion Confirmation letter

Because these requirements vary by location, be sure to check in with your local apprenticeship authority when you're preparing to apply for a grant, to be sure that you have the paperwork necessary to complete your application.

Step 2: Gather your personal info

You'll need the following for your application:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• provincial or territorial apprentice ID number
• banking info for direct deposit

Step 3: Fill out the online application

Applying takes about 30 minutes. If you have your digital versions of your supporting documents, you can include them in this step. You can expect to wait about a month for Service Canada to process your application.

If you have physical versions of your supporting documents, be sure to submit them within 28 days of completing the online application!

Click here to start an online application.

Step 4: Submit your supporting documents

If you didn't add all your documents digitally in step 3, be sure to send them in online, by mail, or in person. You have 28 calendar days after your application is submitted to include your documents.

Click here to submit documents online.

Submitting documents by mail

Apprentices registered in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Yukon:

Apprenticeship Grants Western Processing Centre
Service Canada Centre
Harry Hays Bldg.
220 – 4th Avenue SE Room 270
Calgary, Alberta. T2G 4X3

Apprentices registered in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Qu?bec, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia:

Apprenticeship Grants Eastern Processing Centre
Service Canada Centre
139 Douglastown Blvd
Miramichi, New Brunswick. E1V 0A4

Submitting documents in person

Your local Service Canada branch can accept documents for you.

Best of luck in your application! Remember, the pilot project runs until March 31, 2023, so if you're interested, don't delay!