💰 Grants, Loans & Bursaries for Skilled Trades Apprentices

There are many financial supports available to apprentices in Ontario and across Canada. These include grants, loans, and special funding programs to help cover tools, training, and living expenses.

✅ Important:

  • Always check eligibility requirements

  • Pay attention to deadlines and expiry dates

  • Some funding is taxable income

🔧 Ontario Financial Supports for Apprentices

Explore all current provincial and federal supports:

👉 Ontario Financial Supports Page
https://www.ontario.ca/page/financial-supports-apprentices-and-sponsors

What’s Available:

  • Tools grants

  • Financial assistance during in-school training

  • Support for apprentices with disabilities

  • Completion bonuses (in some non-Red Seal trades)

✅ These programs are currently active

🧰 Tools Grant (Ontario)

👉 Apply for the Tools Grant
https://www.employmentontario.labour.gov.on.ca/AOL/grants/tools_grant/start?lang=en

Overview:

  • ✔ Non-repayable grant (you do NOT pay it back)

  • ⚠️ Taxable income (must be reported on taxes) [ontario.ca]

  • Helps pay for:

    • Tools

    • Equipment

    • Protective clothing

Grant Amounts:

  • 🔹 $1,000 → Motive power trades

  • 🔹 $600 → Construction & industrial trades

  • 🔹 $400 → Service trades [ontario.ca]

Eligibility Requirements:

You must:

  • Be a registered apprentice

  • Have completed Level 1 training (after April 1, 2020)

  • Have at least 12 months of apprenticeship registration

  • Have a valid training agreement [employment....gov.on.ca]

✅ This program is active and widely used

🇨🇦 Federal Apprenticeship Grants (Canada.ca)

👉 Apprenticeship Grants – Canada.ca
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/support-skilled-trades-apprentices/grants.html

⚠️ Important Update:

  • ❌ Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) → Closed March 31, 2025

  • ❌ Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) → Closed March 31, 2025 [canada.ca]

These grants are no longer accepting new applications.

💳 Still Available: Federal Financial Support

Even though grants closed, these supports are still available:

✅ Canada Apprentice Loan

  • Up to $4,000 per period of technical training

  • Interest-free while in training [canada.ca]

  • Can be used for:

    • Tuition

    • Tools

    • Living expenses

✅ Employment Insurance (EI)

  • Financial support while attending in-school training

  • Helps replace lost income during training periods [canada.ca]

✅ Additional Programs

  • Women in Skilled Trades initiatives

  • Training equipment & readiness funding

  • Employer apprenticeship supports [canada.ca]

📌 Key Reminders

  • ✔ Not all funding is free — loans must be repaid

  • ✔ Many grants are taxable

  • ✔ Programs can change or close (as seen with federal grants)

  • ✔ Always apply as early as possible