Minister Bergen Participates in Event Celebrating Local Manitoba Apprenticeship Graduates

SOUTHPORT, MB, Oct. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development) and Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar today joined students and graduates at Red River College for an event honouring the achievements of local apprentices who have become certified Red Seal journeypersons in their respective trades.  Minister Bergen awarded apprenticeship completion certificates on behalf of the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development.  

The Harper Government supports the training of apprentices by awarding a $1,000 apprenticeship grant in both the first and second year of an apprentice's training, and the awarding of a $2,000 apprenticeship grant upon the completion of their apprenticeship training. Through these grants, apprentices can pay for tuition, tools, or other expenses.

With tremendous opportunities for youth in the skilled trades, both today and in the future, the Harper Government is helping young Canadians get the training and skills they need to take advantage of these opportunities.  In addition to apprenticeship grants, the Harper Government also created the Tradesperson's Tools Deduction tax credit to help apprentices and tradespersons pay for tools, and the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit to encourage employers to hire apprentices.

In Economic Action Plan 2014, the Harper Government created the Canada Apprentice Loan which will provide apprentices in a Red Seal trade with interest-free loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training. Similar to student loans for college or university students, interest charges and repayment of the Canada Apprentice Loan will not begin until after the recipient completes or leaves their training program.  Providing apprentices with the same support as college and university students sends an important signal that apprenticeship training is as valuable as a university education.

Quick Facts

• There are tremendous opportunities in the skilled trades in the years ahead:
  • The construction sector says it will need 300,000 new workers over the next 10 years.
  • The mining sector says it will need 145,000 new workers by 2020.
  • The petroleum sector says it will need 150,000 new workers by 2022.
  • The supply chain sector says it will need 357,000 new workers by 2020.
• Since 2007, the Harper Government has issued over 500,000 apprenticeship grants – worth a combined $700 million in support – to Canadian apprentices to help them get jobs.
• In Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government announced the introduction of the Canada Apprentice Loan, which will be available in January 2015, to provide apprentices in Red Seal trades with access to interest-free loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training. It is estimated that at least 26,000 apprentices a year will apply for these loans.

Quotes

"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity. Our Government is committed  to supporting young Canadians and helping them get the skills they need to land well-paying jobs.
– The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development

"For too long, careers in the skilled trades haven't been given the recognition and attention they deserve. However, they represent tremendous opportunities and filling these positions is vital to our economy.  Congratulations to these local graduates. They have a bright future ahead."
– The Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development)

"Red River College is proud to offer the only Transport Canada approved Aircraft Maintenance Journeyperson apprentice-model training program in Canada. As a leader in post-secondary education in Manitoba, Red River College commends the federal government on their support of colleges to provide Canada's youth with the necessary support and assistance to ensure their success."
– David Rew, Interim President and CEO, Red River College

Associated Links

Economic Action Plan 2014 
Apprenticeship Grants

Backgrounder

The Government of Canada creates opportunities for apprentices and supports the skilled trades

Get up to $4,000 in Apprenticeship Grants

• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant: a cash grant of $1,000 for apprentices who complete the first and/or second level of their apprenticeship program in a Red Seal trade, up to a maximum of $2,000.
• Apprenticeship Completion Grant: a cash grant of $2,000 for registered apprentices who have successfully completed their apprenticeship training and obtained their journeyperson certification in a Red Seal trade.

Interest-free Canada Apprentice Loans available January 2015

• Apprentices in a Red Seal trade will soon be able to apply for interest-free loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training.
• Interest charges and repayment of the Canada Apprentice Loan will not begin until after the recipient completes or leaves their apprenticeship training program.

Tax deductions and tax credits for apprentices, tradespeople and apprentice employers

The Government offers a tax deduction for apprentices and tradespeople to help cover the cost of new tools. Tuition and occupational, trade and professional exam fees are also eligible for a tax credit. This is in addition to a tax credit for employers to encourage them to hire apprentices.

For more information, visit www.cra.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada

For further information: Alexandra Fortier, Office of Minister Kenney, 819-994-2482; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]; Follow us on Twitter