CCA, BuildForce and others to launch apprenticeship service initiative
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is among a handful of national organizations supporting the launch of a new service to connect employers with apprentices.
Beginning next month, CCA will work with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board, BuildForce Canada, SkillPlan and ApprenticeSearch.com to launch the Canadian Apprentice Service initiative.
The program will provide eligible employers with up to $20,000 in financial incentives to hire apprentices from 39 Red Seal trade categories.
Employers with up to 499 employees can access $5,000 per apprentice for a maximum of two Level 1 apprentices per employer, per year. The funding is doubled if the apprentice self-identifies as being from an underrepresented group, such as women, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and LGBTQ2+.
There are 39 Red Seal trades eligible for financial support, several of which are in construction, including: bricklayer, boilermaker, carpenter, industrial mechanic, construction electrician, heavy equipment operator, mobile crane operator, plumber, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, sheet metal worker, steamfitter/pipefitter, and welder.
Employment data from Statistics Canada shows that construction companies are in desperate need of hiring new employees. In June, industry employers had more than 89,000 vacant positions.