Free federal grant money for apprentices in designated trades. The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant pays $1,000/year and the Completion Grant pays $2,000 when you get certified.
| Grant | Amount | When You Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) | $1,000/year | After completing year 1 and year 2 of a Red Seal trade apprenticeship |
| Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) | $3,000/year | After completing any year of a qualifying apprenticeship in a male-dominated trade |
| Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) | $2,000 (one time) | After obtaining your Red Seal or provincial/territorial journeyperson certificate |
These grants are taxable income — you'll receive a T4A slip and must report them on your tax return. The AIG and ACG are administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and applied for online through your My Service Canada Account.
The AIG pays $1,000 for each of the first two years of a Red Seal trade apprenticeship, for a maximum of $2,000 total over the program.
Over 50 trades are Red Seal designated, including: electrician, plumber, pipefitter, welder, automotive service technician, heavy equipment operator, carpenter, ironworker, refrigeration and A/C mechanic, hairstylist, cook, and many more. See the full list at red-seal.ca.
The AIG-W is a higher-value version of the AIG designed to encourage women to enter and complete apprenticeships in male-dominated trades. Women apprentices in qualifying trades can receive $3,000 per year (instead of $1,000) for each year of apprenticeship completed.
The AIG-W applies to trades where women make up less than 25% of the workforce. These include most construction and industrial trades: electrician, plumber, pipefitter, welder, carpenter, millwright, ironworker, and many others.
The AIG-W can be claimed for each year of apprenticeship (not just years 1 and 2), up to the total number of years in the program. A 4-year apprenticeship could yield up to $12,000 in AIG-W grants.
The ACG is a one-time $2,000 grant paid to apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship and received their Red Seal endorsement or provincial/territorial journeyperson certificate.
You must have received at least one AIG (or AIG-W) payment to be eligible for the ACG. Make sure you apply for your AIG payments each year so you don't disqualify yourself from the $2,000 completion bonus.
When your apprenticeship grant arrives, make sure it lands in an account with no fees. KOHO is free, earns cash back, and has budgeting tools perfect for apprentices managing training costs. Use code 45ET55JSYA for a bonus.
Get KOHO Free — Use Code 45ET55JSYARegister with your provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority. Each province has its own apprenticeship office — for example, the Ontario College of Trades, SkilledTradesBC, or Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
After completing year 1 or year 2 (for AIG), obtain your official documentation from your provincial apprenticeship authority showing the year level completed and the date. For the ACG, obtain your Red Seal certificate or journeyperson certificate.
Log into My Service Canada Account at canada.ca and apply for the AIG or ACG. You'll need to upload your apprenticeship documentation. Apply within 3 years of completing the qualifying year — older claims are not accepted.
Once approved, payments are issued by direct deposit or cheque within 6–8 weeks of application.
| Program | What It Provides |
|---|---|
| EI during technical training | EI benefits while attending in-class training blocks (if laid off or released for training) |
| Canada Student Loans/Grants | Available to apprentices in recognized programs |
| Tools deduction | Employed tradespersons can deduct up to $500/year for tools purchased for work |
| Tradesperson's tools credit | Refundable credit for new tools purchased as an eligible tradesperson |
| Provincial apprenticeship grants | Many provinces offer additional grant programs — check with your provincial apprenticeship office |