APPRENTICE SUPPORTS

Apprenticeship Tools Grant

The Apprenticeship Tools Grant is a non-repayable, one-time grant of $1000 available to new eligible apprentices to purchase new tools, clothing, and protective equipment for their respective trades.

• Printable overview of the Apprenticeship Tools Grant
• Printable FAQ for the Apprenticeship Tools Grant
• How to Complete the Apprenticeship Tools Grant Application

What defines a new apprentice?

A new apprentice is anyone with 500 or less employer hours at the time of apprenticeship registration. 

What are the eligibility criteria to apply?

To be eligible for the Apprenticeship Tools Grant, you must:

• work and reside in Nova Scotia.
• be employed fulltime (minimum of 35 hours per week).
• be a newly registered apprentice with 500 or less employer hours at the time of registration.
• apply within 90-days of the date on your Apprenticeship Welcome Letter.

What are the eligible tools, clothing and protective equipment?

Eligible tools, clothing and protective equipment are any essential elements required for you to do your work safely and effectively and with precision and expertise to achieve desired results in your trade.

How do I apply?

• Click here to apply
• Note: Tools, clothing, and protective equipment cannot be purchased prior to approval.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency:

• apprenticeship@novascotia.ca
• Halifax Office: (902) 424-5651
• Toll Free (NS): 1-800-494-5651

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.

Note: The following changes are effective for all applications with start dates on or after July 1, 2023:

Eligibility

• Technology Measures will be available for individuals who meet the ENS Apprenticeship Program eligibility requirements, and their training/learning formats are either:
  • Virtual, or
  • Virtual and in-person combined.

Eligible Costs for Technology Measures

• The level of support for Technology Measures has been adjusted to align with other ENS programs.
• Eligible costs under Technology Measures include a computer system and accessories. Internet is no longer an eligible cost.

Apprentices are encouraged to contact ENS at 1-877-223-0888 if they have any questions about the financial assistance available under this program or how to apply.

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.
• 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.

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.

 Apply for the Provincial Progression Award.

Awards and grants are issued based on available funding.

Apprentices in a designated non-Red Seal trade:

• Apprentices in non-Red Seal apprenticeship programs that have 3 or 4 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.

 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...

Through the MOST program, those under the age of 30 (in the tax year) and who are employed and registered as an apprentice or a certified journeyperson in an eligible skilled trade will receive a rebate on provincial income tax paid on the first $50,000 of income earned.

Eligible workers can apply for their rebate after they file their 2022 income tax return and receive a notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.

For more information about eligibility or to apply, e-mail most@novascotia.ca or visit the Government of Nova Scotia’s website.

Women in Trades Incentive (WITI)

The Women in Trades Incentive (WITI) supports women in the skilled trades. 

Women who are newly registered apprentices working in one of the 39 construction and manufacturing trades can receive $750 to help reduce barriers and support costs associated with new employment as an apprentice. 

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the Women in Trades Incentive (WITI), individuals must meet the following criteria: 

• Self-identify as a woman.
• Have registered as an apprentice with Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency on or after December 4, 2023.
• Be employed in one of the 39 Red Seal construction and manufacturing trades.
• Live and work in Nova Scotia. 

How do I apply? 

Eligible women will be contacted by the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency after being registered as an apprentice to complete an application form for the Women in Trades Incentive (WITI).

Contact Information

For more information, please contact the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency: 

• WiT@novascotia.ca
• Halifax Office: (902) 424-5651
• Toll Free (NS): 1-800-494-5651

Women who are registered apprentices working in one of the 39 construction and manufacturing trades can receive a one-time grant to help purchase assistive technology (e.g. iPad, text-to-speech software, drawing tablet, smart pen) to support their apprenticeship journey.  

Eligibility  

To be eligible for the Women in Trades Accessibility Support, individuals must meet the following criteria:  

• Self-identify as a woman.  
• Be employed in one of the 39 Red Seal construction and manufacturing trades.  
• Need assistive technology to support their apprenticeship journey.
• Not be eligible for funding from Employment Nova Scotia to purchase similar technology.

How do I apply?  

To apply, contact the Women in Trades Team at the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency: WiT@novascotia.ca

Contact Information

For more information, please contact the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency: 

• WiT@novascotia.ca
• Halifax Office: (902) 424-5651
• Toll Free (NS): 1-800-494-5651

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. You can find details, including the application process, on Service Canada’s support for skilled trades and apprenticeship page.

Employers can also 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 Government of Canada.
• In the online application you will be prompted to enter a reference code. The 2025-2026 EI code is 1512-02-2025-252605.

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

Youth Apprentices are exempted from the registration fee.

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.

Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)

The Federal government ended this grant on March 31, 2025. For more information, please visit the Government of Canada website.

Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)

The Federal government ended this grant on March 31, 2025. For more information, please visit the Government of Canada website.