Canadian Apprenticeship Service (CAS)
Federally funded by Employment and Social Development Canada
The Canadian Apprenticeship Service (CAS) is a new Federal initiative where Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with 499 or less employees may be eligible to receive funding for hiring new, first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades in the construction and industrial/manufacturing sectors. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency is administering the program for the four Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).
CAS will enable further consistency in the apprenticeship systems across the Atlantic Region building on the rapid growth of the skilled trades sector. Additional supports will be provided to participating employers to create safe, healthy, and inclusive workplaces.
Financial Incentive
A financial incentive in the amount of $5,000 will be provided to eligible employers when they hire new first-year apprentices in one or more of the 39 construction and/or manufacturing Red Seal trades. The incentive is a one-time payment per new first-year apprentice. Employers do not need to apply for funding; eligibility will be assessed upon completion of an approved apprenticeship agreement
An additional $5,000 will be issued if the apprentice voluntarily attests to being from at least one of the following equity-deserving groups. The apprentice is encouraged to identify all that are applicable:
- Women,
- Indigenous peoples,
- Newcomers,
- Persons with disabilities,
- Visible minorities, and
- 2SLGBTQ+
The employer may be eligible to receive financial incentives for hiring a maximum of two new first-year apprentices per fiscal year, to a maximum financial incentive of $20,000.
Construction and Manufacturing Red Seal trades
| Construction |
Manufacturing |
| Boilermaker | Boilermaker |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Sheet Metal Worker |
| Welder | Welder |
| Steamfitter/Pipefitter | Steamfitter/Pipefitter |
| Refrigeration and AC Mechanic | Refrigeration and AC Mechanic |
| Construction Electrician | Cabinetmaker |
| Plumber | Instrumentation and Control Technician |
| Painter and Decorator | Machinist |
| Landscape Horticulturist | Tool and Die Maker |
| Roofer | Metal Fabricator (Fitter) |
| Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic) | Industrial Electrician |
| Glazier | Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) |
| Sprinkler Fitter | |
| Insulator (Heat and Frost) | |
| Gasfitter A | |
| Gasfitter B | |
| HEO Dozer | |
| HEO Excavator | |
| HEO TLB | |
| Mobile Crane Operator | |
| Construction Craft Worker | |
| Drywall Finisher and Plasterer | |
| Concrete Finisher | |
| Tile Setter | |
| Floorcovering Installer | |
| Tower Crane Operator | |
| Powerline Technician | |
| Carpenter | |
| Bricklayer | |
| Ironworker Generalist | |
| Ironworker Reinforcing | |
| Ironworker S/O |
Nova Scotia’s Apprenticeship START program
The CAS program complements Nova Scotia’s Apprenticeship START program, which also provides employer incentives for hiring and progressing apprentices, including added incentives for hiring individuals from under-represented groups. Employers in Nova Scotia are eligible for blended funding through both programs.
For questions, email Apprenticeshipstart@novascotia.ca