APPRENTICE SUPPORTS

Supports for Books, Technology, Travel and Childcare – Employment NS Apprenticeship Program

You may be eligible to receive Employment Nova Scotia (ENS) funding during your training. To apply online for financial assistance to cover some or all miscellaneous costs, visit the Employment Nova Scotia – Apprenticeship Program website and click “Start now”.

• The application is accessible via LaMPSS Online using a computer, laptop, tablet, or cell phone.
• Eligible miscellaneous costs include accommodations, travel, childcare, books, technology measures.
• Receipts will be required for childcare, books, technology measures.
• You may be eligible for advanced payment for books and/or technology measures which will allow you to have funds to purchase these items before your training begins.

If you have questions on how to apply, please contact Employment Nova Scotia at 1-877-223-0888.

Eligibility for Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG): Apprentices must have completed the first year (level) or second year (level) of a Red Seal trade.

• AIG is not payable when AIG-W has been paid for same trade/level. See below for information about AIG-W.
• Apply for the AIG as soon as you receive your official Record of Progress from the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, as there are application deadlines associated with the grant.
• If you have any questions, please contact your Industry Training Consultant or the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency at 902-424-5651 or 1-800-494-5651.
• To access the online application or to receive more information about deadlines, eligibility, supporting documentation, etc., please visit the Government of Canada website or call 1 866 742-3644 (TTY: 1 866 909-9757).

Eligibility for Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W): Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) announced in the Federal Budget 2018 is a five-year pilot that will better target existing Apprenticeship Grants funding towards improving the economic outcomes for women. Apprenticeship Grant eligibility is limited to apprentices registered with a provincial/territorial/certification authority in a Red Seal trade.

Apprentices must have completed the first year (level) or second year (level) of an approved apprenticeship program having low female representation*. The AIG-W will have a lifetime maximum amount payable of $6,000 to eligible apprentices.

• Apprentices who self-identify as a woman on the application guide may be eligible for AIG-W.
• Hairstylist, Baker, Cook, Partsperson and Landscape-Horticulturist are excluded from AIG-W; women apprentices in these trades remain eligible for AIG.
• To access the online application or to receive more information about deadlines, eligibility, supporting documentation, etc., please visit the Government of Canada website or call 1 866 742-3644 (TTY: 1 866 909-9757). Apply for the AIG-W as soon as you receive your official Record of Progress from the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, as there are application deadlines associated with the grant.
• If you have any questions, please contact your Industry Training Consultant or the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency at 902-424-5651 or 1-800-494-5651.

Awards and grants are issued based on available funding.

Apprentices in a designated non-Red Seal trade can apply for a taxable $750 Provincial Apprentice Progression Award if they successfully complete a level of apprenticeship training. Each level of a provincial trade completed will be eligible except the final level of the trade because the apprentice is then eligible for the Provincial Completion Award.

Apprentices in a Red Seal trade can apply for a taxable $750 Provincial Apprentice Progression Award if they successfully complete Level 3 of their apprenticeship program. This does not apply if the trade is 3 levels because they are eligible for the Completion Award.

Apprentices in a designated non-Red Seal trade are eligible to apply for a taxable $2,000 Provincial Apprentice Completion Award once they complete all training requirements and receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship. Apprentices in provincial and Red Seal trades must apply for their progression and completion awards within 90 days of becoming eligible.

Apply for the Provincial Progression Award.

Apprentices must have completed their apprenticeship program on, or after, January 1, 2009 and must have passed the Red Seal Exam. The ACG will have a lifetime maximum amount payable of $2,000 to eligible apprentices. The Certificate of Apprenticeship (with Red Seal endorsement), which is issued to all completing apprentices, will be the proof of eligibility.

 Apply: Forms & info are available on Service Canada's website or by phone: 1-866-742-3644 (TTY: 1-866-909-9757).

 Awards and grants are issued based on available funding.

Apprentices in non-Red Seal apprenticeship programs that have 3, 4 or 5 levels of training are eligible to apply for a taxable $2,000 Provincial Apprentice Completion Award once they complete all training requirements and receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Awards will be processed twice yearly:

• For clients who meet criteria and apply between January and June, award will be processed in October.
• For clients who meet criteria and apply between July and December, award will be processed in April.

 Apply for the Provincial Completion Award. Applications must be received within six months of achieving eligibility.

The Canada Apprentice Loan is available to help registered Red Seal apprentices cover the cost of their training. The Government of Canada offers apprentices enrolled in a Red Seal Trade apprenticeship program up to $4,000 per period of technical training.  MORE INFO at the Employment and Social Development Canada website...

More Opportunity for Skilled Trades (MOST) was introduced as part of Budget 2022-23 to attract and retain youth in the skilled trades.

MOST will return provincial income tax paid on the first $50,000 of income earned by those under the age of 30 in eligible skilled trades and occupations.

MOST is a Finance and Treasury Board program. Please visit the Government of Nova Scotia website or email most@novascotia.ca for more information.

Apprentices will be paid a wage for their experience on the job and they will have the opportunity to apply for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits when they begin apprenticeship technical training.

While participating in apprenticeship technical training, you may be entitled to income support through Employment Insurance (EI) benefits from Service Canada.

Employers can now complete and submit apprentices' Records of Employment (ROEs) online. MORE INFO at the Service Canada website...

Existing Claim (If you are already in receipt of EI benefits, or to re-open an existing claim)

• Approximately 6 weeks prior to scheduled training, the Agency will mail a class acceptance letter to you.
• Immediately contact or visit your local Service Canada office to advise them you will be attending apprenticeship technical training. (Service Canada may ask to see your class acceptance letter).

New Claim

• You can apply for Employment Insurance benefits online at Service Canada.
• In the online application you will be prompted to enter a reference code. Please refer to your course scheduling package for this number.

 Although the information on this page may be accurate, apprentices should consult Service Canada, the official source of information about Employment Insurance.

Youth Apprentices are exempted from the registration fee.

In addition to EI, there are other benefits that you may qualify for, such as financial assistance to cover costs associated with training, child care, living away from home, travel assistance, commuting allowance and disability allowance.

Approximately three weeks prior to your scheduled training, the Agency will mail a class acceptance letter to you. Apply for these financial allowances as soon as you receive this class acceptance letter.

• Apply: Visit Employment Nova Scotia's website and download the application package available under the heading "While attending training...". Complete and mail, fax or drop-off at the Employment Nova Scotia Office closest to you.
• Since the application for additional financial assistance is separate from the application for EI benefits, please ensure that you have an EI claim (existing or new).
• Although every effort is made to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, apprentices should consult the official source of information about additional financial assistance.

The Tradesperson's Tools Deduction provides employed tradespersons with an annual deduction of up to $500 to help cover the cost of new tools necessary for their trade. The deduction applies to the total cost of eligible tools if:

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

MORE INFO at the Canada Revenue Agency website..

Tradespersons may also be eligible for a HST Rebate on the the purchase of new, required tools.

Government of Canada Supports