Apprenticeship in Manitoba

The apprentice and journeyperson designations recognize the skills that you have as a tradesperson. Completing an apprenticeship means achieving journeyperson status. This comes with credentials, recognition of your skills across Canada, and access to higher wage rates.

The apprenticeship process includes both on-the-job training and in-school technical training. On-the-job hours are a prerequisite for attending in-school training. Click here to learn more about your trade.
 
Because on-the-job experience is part of the apprenticeship process, you need the approval of your employer to start an apprenticeship. To start the process, talk to your employer about your interest in becoming an apprentice and get their approval. 

Once you have approval from your employer, CLAC will work with you to help you through the rest of the process. 

CLAC will:

• track your hours for eligibility for your next level of training and submit your Blue Book to Apprenticeship Manitoba;
• provide you with resources for managing the financial transition from work to school; 
• give you updates about the technical training schedule and registration dates;
• let you know what awards and grants you may be eligible for; and 
• let you know how your training affects your wage rate. 

Visit the government of Manitoba’s Apprenticeship Manitoba site for more information on all aspects of apprenticeship training and to start the application process. You can also check out this registration checklist available for free!

Set up an AccessManitoba account to allow you to register and manage your apprenticeship online. 

If you have any questions about the registration process in Manitoba, don’t hesitate to reach out to CLAC Central Apprenticeship team today (apprenticeshipcentral@clac.ca).

Part of the application process is providing Apprenticeship Manitoba with your education history. The application form has space for you to fill in your Grade 12 transcript. 
If you have not completed Grade 12, you can still apply as an Access Program Trainee, and Apprenticeship Manitoba will work with you to assess your ability to complete the technical training requirements. 

Click here to learn more about the fees associated with apprenticeship in Manitoba. Including information on if you need to have any pre-apprenticeship education or training accessed as prior learning experience.

Each year, Apprenticeship Manitoba publishes a calendar of the coming year’s training. You need to choose the section for your trade that works for you. Some things you may want to consider are whether you want to be in school during the coldest months of the year, and whether there are seasonal slowdowns when it is better to be in school.

Click here for the up-to-date calendar dates.

Apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program can receive up to $4,000 in Canada Apprentice Loans per period of technical training. You can receive these loans for up to five periods of technical training. Your loan will be interest-free for up to six years as long as you are confirmed as being registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program. You do not have to make any loan payments while your loan is in interest-free status.

Learn More and Apply

The institution that you attend for technical training may offer additional scholarships and bursaries. Check out your school’s website to learn what is available.

Unlike other post-secondary students, an apprentice can collect employment insurance (EI) while attending technical training.

You can apply for EI online no more than seven days before your last day of work. You will need an employment insurance reference code to access the apprentice application form. You will find this code on your registration confirmation letter.

Be aware that you may not receive EI payments for up to four to six weeks after you start classes. Plan to have alternative financial arrangements in place during this time.

For First Nations apprentices, funding is available through First Nations Bands for Band members. For Métis apprentices, funding and financial assistance is available through Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF).

For both First Nations apprentices and apprentices who qualify for assistance from the MMF, once you have your Confirmation of Registration letter from Apprenticeship Manitoba, you can request a letter from your Band or the MMF that is addressed to you that states how they will support your education.

Bring a copy of this letter to your training institution and also forward it to the Director of Operations at a local Manitoba Jobs and Skills Development Centre.

If you have questions about this process – do not hesitate to reach out to our CLAC Apprenticeship team (apprenticeshipcentral@clac.ca).

The Government of Manitoba pays for the first $4,200 (approximately) of tuition for reach level for most apprentices. Additional provincial supports include:

• Living allowances;
• Lodging supports for apprentices who live outside of Winnipeg or northern training centres;
• Travel and commuting reimbursements for apprentices who travel to training centres;
• Transit reimbursements for apprentices who get to training centres taking public transit;
• Childcare subsidies for apprentices who require childcare while taking technical training.

Your case management worker at Apprenticeship Manitoba will work with you to access these supports.

Also includes:

• Apprenticeship Manitoba Bursary
  Must be a current apprentice with demonstrated financial need who has completed year one of technical training.
• Tim McLean Memorial Bursary Application
  An Indigenous* apprentice with a demonstrated financial need, who has completed year one of technical training.

*Indigenous ancestry including First Nations, Non-Status, Métis, Inuit

• Tradesperson’s Tool Deduction
  Annual deduction to help cover the cost of new tools necessary to their trade. Applies to tools acquired in excess of $1,000.
• Tuition Tax Credit
  Tax credit available to apprentices for tuition and examination fees where it’s required to attend or complete to obtain a professional status.

Find out more about tax deductions through the CRA here.