February 23, 2023 Yellowknife, NT Employment and Social Development Canada
The skilled trades are essential to Canada’s economy. Few industries are as essential to Canadians’ everyday lives. Smart investments are needed to support Canadians from all backgrounds in taking up apprenticeship training now, and to help kick-start lucrative careers in well-respected skilled trades.
Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, was in Yellowknife to announce $2,446,190 million for the Tłı̨chǫ Trades Apprenticeship Program. The project will provide financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Tłı̨chǫ Region to hire 30 first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades over the next two years.
First-year apprentices will get the hands-on experience and training they need toward becoming certified journeypersons in the Red Seal trades as a result of connecting with these job opportunities. The organizations being funded under the Apprenticeship Service will distribute financial incentives to SMEs and provide additional supports, such as help navigating the apprenticeship system. They will develop training for SMEs to help them onboard apprentices and create welcoming and inclusive workplaces. To help Canadians facing barriers to a career in the skilled trades, the incentives are doubled for SMEs who hire from equity-deserving groups.
Today’s announcement builds on the 13 Apprenticeship Service projects announced by Minister Qualtrough in May 2022. Through the Apprenticeship Service, the Government is investing over $393 million in 19 projects to support the creation of more than 42,000 apprenticeships across Canada.
The Government of Canada is investing nearly $1 billion annually in apprenticeship supports through grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training, project funding, and support for the Red Seal program. Announced in Budget 2019, the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy will strengthen existing apprenticeship supports and programs by helping apprentices and key apprenticeship stakeholders, including employers, to participate and succeed in the skilled trades.
“Canada needs more skilled trades workers. We need more Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities, racialized Canadians and other marginalized people to get into the skilled trades. Through the Apprenticeship Service, our government is investing more than $2 million in the Tłı̨chǫ Trades Apprenticeship Program. This will create more job opportunities for the communities in the Tłı̨chǫ region, and ensure employers and businesses have the skilled workers they need to thrive.”
– The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
“Our economy and our communities depend on skilled trades workers. That’s why we are supporting apprenticeships in the Tłı̨ chǫ Region and across the Northwest Territories, so that more people can learn a trade, while they earn a living. That’s how we’re going to make sure we have more electricians, welders, bricklayers and other skilled trades workers.”
- Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories
“The creation of the Tłı̨ chǫ Government Trades Apprenticeship Program, in partnership with Canada, is intended to provide employers and apprentices with opportunities to fill gaps in an in-demand job market. The Tłı̨ chǫ Trades Apprenticeship Program is an important step in the future of those entering the trades industry, and one that will provide opportunities for growth and economic stability for our people and communities.”
- Tłı̨ chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty
Quick Facts
- According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, in order to meet the demand for skilled journeypersons in Red Seal trades, an average of approximately 75,000 new apprentices will need to be hired per year over the next five years. The top trades most at risk of not meeting the demand include welder, industrial mechanic (millwright), bricklayer, boilermaker, cook and hairstylist.
- According to BuildForce Canada, the construction industry needs to recruit 309,000 new workers over the next decade (2021 to 2030), driven predominantly by the expected retirement of 259,100 workers (22% of the current labour force).
- Measures in Budget 2022 to support skilled trades workers include: o $84.2 million over four years to double the funding for the Union Training and Innovation Program to help apprentices from under-represented groups begin—and succeed in —careers in the skilled trades through mentorship, career services and job matching.
- A new Labour Mobility Deduction, which would provide tax recognition on up to $4,000 per year in eligible travel and temporary relocation expenses to eligible tradespersons and apprentices. This measure would apply to the 2022 and subsequent taxation years.
- $2.5 million in 2022–2023 for Employment and Social Development Canada to launch a new union-led advisory table that brings together unions and trade associations. The table will advise the Government on how to help workers navigate the changing labour market, with a particular focus on skilled mid-career workers in at-risk sectors and jobs.
- To highlight the value of skilled trades workers and the wide range of supports available to build a successful and fulfilling career in the trades, the Government launched an advertising campaign earlier this year to promote the skilled trades as first choice careers for young people. The campaign website (Canada.ca/skilled-trades) provides Canadians with information about what the skilled trades are, how to become a tradesperson, and what financial supports are available to them while in training.
Associated Links
Canada.ca/skilled-trades
Contact:
Hayden Moher
Senior Parliamentary Assistant to the Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories
[email protected]
613-992-4587
Tłı̨chǫ Government
[email protected]
NR Tlicho ESDC with Headers.pdf
