Financial Support for Tradespersons

More Opportunity for Skilled Trades (MOST): Provincial Income Tax Rebate

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 income tax return and receive a notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.

For more information about eligibility or to apply:

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 income tax return and receive a notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.

For more information about eligibility or to apply:

Tradesperson's Tools Tax Deduction (of up to $500) and HST Rebate

Tradespersons may be able to deduct the cost of eligible tools they bought to earn employment income as a tradesperson. This cost includes any GST and provincial sales tax (PST) or HST they paid.

 MORE INFO at the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Tradespersons may also be eligible for an HST Rebate.

Tradespersons may be able to deduct the cost of eligible tools they bought to earn employment income as a tradesperson. This cost includes any GST and provincial sales tax (PST) or HST they paid.

 MORE INFO at the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Tradespersons may also be eligible for an HST Rebate.

Journeyperson Financial Incentive Program

Journeyperson Financial Incentive Program

Nominations open September 15, 2026

We encourage you to start thinking about potential nominees and gathering any information you may need to support a nomination.

Our processes have changed! Want to find out more? 

We are hosting virtual information sessions that will provide a program overview, explain eligibility criteria, clarify roles and responsibilities, plus more. There are four information sessions to choose from. Click on your desired date below to register:

What is the Journeyperson Financial Incentive?

The Journeyperson Financial Incentive is a minimum of a $500 taxable incentive to support and recognize journeypersons for the vital role they play as primary trainers within the apprenticeship system.

A total incentive of $2,500 is available each time an apprentice progresses to the next level. The $2,500 is divided equally among all eligible journeypersons nominated for that apprentice, up to a maximum of five nominees.

Examples:

  • 1 eligible nominee: receives $2,500
  • 2 eligible nominees: receive $1,250 each
  • 5 eligible nominees: receive $500 each

Journeypersons may receive incentives for more than one apprentice progression.

Who is it for?

Journeypersons who have taken an active role in mentoring apprentices.  

Am I eligible?

To be eligible, journeypersons must:  

  • be nominated by their employer, and
  • be Red Seal Endorsed and/or hold a Certificate of Qualification in the same trade as the apprentice they are/were mentoring, and
  • have completed approved mentoring training, and
  • be actively engaged in the advancement/training of apprentices, and
  • be working for the same employer as the apprentice at the time of nomination, and
  • be working and residing in Nova Scotia.  

How does the program work?

  1. An apprentice successfully progresses a level of their apprenticeship.
  2. Within 90 days of the apprentice's progression, the employer may submit a Journeyperson Financial Incentive nomination to recognize one to five journeypersons who supported that apprentice during their level.
  3. Nominated journeypersons who are eligible receive instructions to complete their form online. A nominated journeyperson has 30 days to complete and submit their form.
  4. Once all requirements are met, the financial incentive is paid out to the journeyperson(s).

IMPORTANT: 

For apprentices who progressed August 1st, 2025, to September 30th, 2026, the deadline for nominations is December 31, 2026.

For apprentice progressions after September 30th, 2026 employers have 90 days from date of progression to submit a nomination form.

How do I access mentoring training? 

Sign up for the free Introduction to Mentorship course. 

This course will introduce the concept of mentoring in the trades and highlight the skills needed for mentors and mentees. 

Learning Outcomes 

  • Recognize the important role mentorship plays in the skilled trades 

  • Describe the six key principles of mentors and mentees 

  • Identify effective communication strategies 

  • Develop a personalized action plan for skill improvement

What does apprentice progression mean?

An apprentice has progressed when they have successfully completed a level of their apprenticeship program:

  • Completed and passed technical training, and
  • Passed applicable examinations, and
  • Logged required hours* in AMS for the level.

*Level 1 = 1800 hours, Level 2 = 3600 hours, Level 3 = 5400 hours, Level 4 = 7200 hours

Employers can track apprentice progression through the Apprenticeship Management System (AMS). 

Contact Information 

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

Journeyperson Financial Incentive Program

Nominations open September 15, 2026

We encourage you to start thinking about potential nominees and gathering any information you may need to support a nomination.

Our processes have changed! Want to find out more? 

We are hosting virtual information sessions that will provide a program overview, explain eligibility criteria, clarify roles and responsibilities, plus more. There are four information sessions to choose from. Click on your desired date below to register:

What is the Journeyperson Financial Incentive?

The Journeyperson Financial Incentive is a minimum of a $500 taxable incentive to support and recognize journeypersons for the vital role they play as primary trainers within the apprenticeship system.

A total incentive of $2,500 is available each time an apprentice progresses to the next level. The $2,500 is divided equally among all eligible journeypersons nominated for that apprentice, up to a maximum of five nominees.

Examples:

  • 1 eligible nominee: receives $2,500
  • 2 eligible nominees: receive $1,250 each
  • 5 eligible nominees: receive $500 each

Journeypersons may receive incentives for more than one apprentice progression.

Who is it for?

Journeypersons who have taken an active role in mentoring apprentices.  

Am I eligible?

To be eligible, journeypersons must:  

  • be nominated by their employer, and
  • be Red Seal Endorsed and/or hold a Certificate of Qualification in the same trade as the apprentice they are/were mentoring, and
  • have completed approved mentoring training, and
  • be actively engaged in the advancement/training of apprentices, and
  • be working for the same employer as the apprentice at the time of nomination, and
  • be working and residing in Nova Scotia.  

How does the program work?

  1. An apprentice successfully progresses a level of their apprenticeship.
  2. Within 90 days of the apprentice's progression, the employer may submit a Journeyperson Financial Incentive nomination to recognize one to five journeypersons who supported that apprentice during their level.
  3. Nominated journeypersons who are eligible receive instructions to complete their form online. A nominated journeyperson has 30 days to complete and submit their form.
  4. Once all requirements are met, the financial incentive is paid out to the journeyperson(s).

IMPORTANT: 

For apprentices who progressed August 1st, 2025, to September 30th, 2026, the deadline for nominations is December 31, 2026.

For apprentice progressions after September 30th, 2026 employers have 90 days from date of progression to submit a nomination form.

How do I access mentoring training? 

Sign up for the free Introduction to Mentorship course. 

This course will introduce the concept of mentoring in the trades and highlight the skills needed for mentors and mentees. 

Learning Outcomes 

  • Recognize the important role mentorship plays in the skilled trades 

  • Describe the six key principles of mentors and mentees 

  • Identify effective communication strategies 

  • Develop a personalized action plan for skill improvement

What does apprentice progression mean?

An apprentice has progressed when they have successfully completed a level of their apprenticeship program:

  • Completed and passed technical training, and
  • Passed applicable examinations, and
  • Logged required hours* in AMS for the level.

*Level 1 = 1800 hours, Level 2 = 3600 hours, Level 3 = 5400 hours, Level 4 = 7200 hours

Employers can track apprentice progression through the Apprenticeship Management System (AMS). 

Contact Information 

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