Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship combines on-the-job and in-school training (most often in a College setting), and is an "earn while you learn" opportunity. Once an individual in Canada has completed an apprenticeship, he or she can can take an examination. On passing the examination and satisfying the criteria set out by the Province/Territory in which he or she lives, the individual will earn a Certificate of Qualification/Journeyperson Certificate from the Province or Territory.

As an apprentice, you will work with an employer who has agreed to 'sponsor' you and train you as an apprentice in a skilled trade. To do this, an individual and an employer enter into and sign an apprenticeship agreement which is then registered with the Provincial or Territorial government agency that regulates apprenticeship training. The employer monitors the individuals' progress, validating what they have learned and the number of hours spent practicing new skills on the job. During this time, the individual is paid an agreed upon wage.

The automotive industry, like others in the manufacturing sector, is facing challenging economic conditions. Given everything they’re dealing with, employers may not be giving much thought to the question of apprenticeship training. Yet, one out of every four automotive SMEs is experiencing some form of skills shortage—and, according to CAHR research, one in three expects to do so in the near future. With many workers set to retire over the next decade and technology rapidly evolving, the sector is going to need an infusion of human capital. Apprenticeship is the key to meeting those long-term human resource needs.

The Council for Automotive Human Resources (CAHR) launched the Apprenticeship Training Analysis project to study apprenticeship training in the automotive manufacturing industry, focusing on small- and medium-sized enterprises.

For full details on the research findings and recommendations, please go to the download centre on our website.

Apprenticeship Completion Grant

As proposed in Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a $2,000 taxable cash grant. It is available to eligible apprentices after they successfully complete their training and become certified in a Red Seal trade.

Apprentices can apply for the ACG through Service Canada starting July 2009, with eligibility made retroactive to apprentices completing on or after January 1, 2009. More information is available at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

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