Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, August 24, 2009—Ms. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, was pleased to present a $2,000 Apprenticeship Completion Grant cheque to two apprentices who were among the first in British Columbia to qualify for the grant by successfully completing apprenticeship training and receiving journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade.

“Our government’s Apprenticeship Completion Grant is helping Canadians become tradespeople and ensuring that we have the skilled and mobile workforce our country needs to meet the demands of our changing labour market,” said Ms. Wong. “Our government is committed to providing Canadians with the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

The Government of Canada supports training, and provides grants and tax credits to encourage Canadians to pursue challenging, rewarding careers in the skilled trades. The Apprenticeship Completion Grant builds on the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant by offering an additional $2,000 to eligible apprentices after they successfully complete their apprenticeship training and receive their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade on or after January 1, 2009.

Under the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, apprentices are eligible for a $1,000 cash grant when they complete the first and/or second level of their apprenticeship program in a designated Red Seal trade, to a maximum of $2,000. Combined, the two grants provide eligible apprentices who complete their training and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade with a total of $4,000.

The Government of Canada is investing $40 million per year in the Apprenticeship Completion Grant. This program will not only encourage people to complete their apprenticeship training and become certified journeypersons, but will also enhance their ability to work anywhere in Canada by supporting the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program and enable them to take advantage of opportunities for themselves, their families and their futures.

Approximately 20,000 apprentices are estimated to benefit from the Apprenticeship Completion Grant each year upon certification in a designated Red Seal trade. The Red Seal Program represents a national standard of excellence in the trades and provides recognition of tradespeople’s qualifications. The Program facilitates the mobility of trades workers and is recognized by employers throughout Canada.

The Government of Canada encourages all eligible apprentices to apply for the grants. For more information on how to apply, call 1-866-742-3644 (TTY: 1‑866‑909‑9757) or visit servicecanada.gc.ca/apprenticeship.

To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

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