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Financial Support for Apprentices

There are various financial supports to help you during your apprenticeship. Make sure you take advantage of them! Contact our team if you need help understanding eligibility requirements or to get more information.

CLAC Support

Trade School Tuition Reimbursement

CLAC is committed to helping you pay for the education you need to succeed in your career. That’s why we financially assist our apprentices with their tuition costs.

What costs are covered?

We only cover the cost of tuition (standardized $10 per day from MLITSD). Each trade has it’s own tuition amount per level, click here to find out more.

Who can apply?

Eligibility requirements must be met before we can move forward with processing your application. See below for what’s needed to apply today:

  • You’ve done your CLAC On-Boarding application.
  • You are a member in good standing of a CLAC local and have paid 12 months of dues for each level requested.
  • You are employed by a CLAC employer (that contributes to the training fund) before and after school.
  • If you’re not sure if your employer contributes to the training fund, check out your Collective Agreement.
  • You need a copy of your transcript and tuition receipt (or proof of payment) for each level of reimbursement.
  • For your final year application, you also need proof of completion – either your proof of Journeyperson status update or exam completion.

How do I apply?

Please complete the Apprenticeship Reimbursement Form found on your myCLAC account. If you are not a member of CLAC reach out to our Central Apprenticeship team.

Frank Kooger Apprenticeship Award

Each year, CLAC distributes several awards to apprentices in the construction trades who strive to excel and who are dedicated to becoming journeypersons in their trades. Deadline to apply is February 28th (yearly award).

Learn More and Apply

 

 

Government Support

Government of Canada Apprentice Loan (CAL)

Apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program can receive up to $4,000 in CAL 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

Employment Insurance for Apprentices (EI)

If you have been registered for a full-time technical training (block-release) you may be eligible to receive EI benefits while unemployed and attending school. You will need to follow these steps to complete your application:

  • Get your reference code before you apply for EI
    • Can be found in your confirmation email from your training institution when you are approved to attend full-time technical training sent from MLITSD
  • Apply for EI
    • Sign into your My Service Canada account (MSCA)
    • You can start the application up to 7 days before your last day worked
    • You must provide all ROE’s issued to you over 52 weeks
    • You can access your ROE’s through the MSCA

Learn More

Tax deductions and credits for apprentices and tradespersons

Take advantage of a range of federal tax credits and incentives apprentices can benefit from, including:

  • Tradesperson’s Tools deduction
  • Tuition Tax Credit and licensing examination fees
  • Education amount
  • Textbook amount

Learn More and Apply

Apprentice Development Benefit (ADB)

ADB provides financial supports for apprentices while they are attending full-time in-class training. Eligible costs include:

  • Basic living expenses
  • Dependent care
  • Commuting & travel
  • Expenses for living away from home
  • Special assistance for persons with disabilities

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Attending a full time block of schooling;
  • Active registered apprentice with MLITSD;
  • Attending a Ministry-approved training delivery agent (College).

You can apply for this fund when you begin your in-class training. If you are eligible, you will receive more information directly from MLITSD. The application package and form includes further information.

Learn More from Your Local Ministry Office

Ontario Tools Grant

Tools Grant is non-repayable, taxable cash grant available only in Ontario for apprentices to help pay for trade-related tools and equipment. The amount of the grant depends on the type of trade you’re apprenticing in. For construction and industrial trades, the amount is $600.

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Successfully completing at minimum Level 1 (Basic) trade school;
  • Have been a registered apprentice for 12 months;
  • Have an active registered training agreement.

You’ll need your personal information, apprenticeship information (including sector, trade name, and Client ID #) and direct deposit banking information to complete your application.

Learn More