Services for Apprentices and Employers

Apprentices and their employers may be eligible to access financial supports in B.C.

Learn about the financial supports available for apprentices and employers of apprentices.

For apprentices

By accessing the programs outlined below, Apprentices may be eligible for up to five levels of funding, totalling up to $46,600 for a single individual or $55,700 for an individual with three dependents.

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Provincial support for apprentices

WorkBC Apprentice Services

You may be eligible for financial assistance during the in-school portion of your apprenticeship program. WorkBC Apprentice Services helps with expenses such as living supports, travel, dependent care and disability-related costs.

Get information and apply for Apprentice Services Online.

B.C. Student Loan – Pre-Apprenticeship

You can get a loan to help pay for your foundation or pre-apprentice programs. StudentAid BC provides loans for post-secondary education.

Get more information from StudentAid BC.

Training Tax Credit

If you’re a B.C. resident and enrolled in an eligible apprentice program (PDF), but not enrolled in a high school, homeschooling or independent program, you can receive refundable tax credits to reduce your costs.

  • Claim the basic tax credit when you complete the requirements for level 1 or 2 of a B.C. recognized (non-Red Seal) program.
  • Claim the completion tax credit for completing level 3 or level 4 for Red Seal or non-Red Seal training programs.
  • Claim the enhanced credit for First Nations individuals or people with disabilities.

Find the details at the Training Tax Credit for Apprentices webpage.

Federal support for apprentices

The federal government offers a variety of loan, grant and tax credit programs for apprentices.

Apprenticeship Incentive Grant

When you have successfully finished your first or second year (or equivalent) as a registered apprentice in a Red Seal trade, you can apply for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG). This grant provides a taxable cash donation of $1,000 per year, up to a personal maximum of $2,000.

Get the full details from the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant webpage.

Apprenticeship Completion Grant

When you have successfully finished your apprenticeship training in a Red Seal trade and received your journey certification, you can apply for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant. This grant provides a maximum taxable cash donation of $2,000.

Find out more from the Apprenticeship Completion Grant webpage.

Canada Student Grant for Students with Dependents

If you have dependent children and are from a low-income family, you can apply for a Canada Student Grant for students with dependents. You can receive $400 each month for every dependent child you have for every year of full-time studies at a designated institution as long as you still qualify.

Get the details from the Employment and Social Development Canada website. You are enrolled automatically if you qualify for financial assistance in your province or territory of residence.

Canada Apprentice Loan

The Canada Apprentice Loan helps you complete apprenticeship training in a designated Red Seal trade.
If you are registered in a Red Seal apprenticeship, you can apply for loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training. You won’t have to repay the loan or Interest until after you finish or quit the training program.

Get the details or apply at the Canada Apprentice Loan website.

Canada Student Loan – Pre-Apprenticeship

Your pre-apprentice or foundation training at a recognized post-secondary institution may be eligible for a loan under the Canada Student Loan program. Your application is based on where you live as a permanent resident, not where you plan to go to school.

If you live in B.C., you can get details and apply at the Canada Student Loan webpage.

Tuition Tax Credit for Examination Fees

You can claim a tax credit for examination fees you pay to write certification exams as long as the license or certification allows you to practice a trade in Canada. Be sure to save the official receipt to support your claim.

Check out the Canada Revenue Agency for more information.

Apprentice Mechanics Tools Deduction

If you work as an apprentice mechanic and are registered in a training program to repair vehicles such as cars, aircraft, boats and snowmobiles, you may be able to deduct part of the cost of tools you bought, up to $500, from your income tax. (This deduction is in addition to the employed tradespersons deduction for tools.)

Find out more about the Tools Deduction.

For employers

When you hire an apprentice, you may be able to reduce your costs with special tax credits. Learn about the financial supports for employers of apprentices.

Provincial support for employers

Training Tax Credit

The training tax credit provides refundable income tax credits for businesses that employ apprentices. Sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations can claim the employer’s tax credit.

You claim the credit based on the salary and wages you pay to an employee enrolled in an apprenticeship program administered through SkilledTradesBC.

There are three main elements to the training tax credit:

  • Basic credit – up to $4,000 for the first 24 months of non-Red Seal training programs
  • Completion credit – up to $2,500 for level 3 or up to $3,000 for higher levels for Red Seal or non-Red Seal training programs
  • Enhanced credit – up to $2,000 for First Nations individuals and people with disabilities

Certain conditions and restrictions apply to this tax credit. For information, see Training Tax Credit for Employers.

Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry Tax Credit

Employers in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry may qualify for an apprenticeship credit higher than the standard training tax credit.

The credit covers salary and wages for apprentices who are registered with SkilledTradesBC and enrolled in an eligible apprenticeship program.

Check out the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry Tax Credit for more information.

B.C. Employer Training Grant

The goal of the Employer Training Grant is to help unemployed and employed British Columbians access the skills training they need to adapt to the changing requirements of jobs and the labour market.

At the same time, the grant encourages employer involvement in skills training of new or current employees. The program assists employers in providing employees with training to develop skills and certification, upgrade skills needed due to automation, and enhance productivity.

Find out more about the B.C. Employer Training Grant.

Federal support for employers

Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit

Employers who hire apprentices can claim a non-refundable tax credit equal to 10 percent of apprentices’ eligible salaries and wages. You can claim up to $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.

Find detailed information at the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit webpage.