Who can apply

Eligibility

Applicants

Your organization must be located in Canada (excluding Quebec) and be one of the following:

• a union representing workers in Red Seal trades
• an organization managing training trust funds for a union representing workers in the Red Seal trades. For example:
  • a joint training fund set up by a union
  • a union and an employer association

Projects

Your project must meet all the following criteria:

• build, expand, or renovate a union training centre to increase training capacity
• target at least one of the 54 eligible Red Seal trades
• demonstrate a need for increased training capacity in one or more eligible Red Seal trades and explain how the proposed project will address that need. Your response should be supported by evidence, such as labour market information, waitlists, employer feedback, or other relevant data
• have cash contributions from sources other than the Government of Canada equal to or more than 50% of the total cost of the project

Only cash contributions are eligible under this funding process. In-kind contributions are not applicable.

What the funding can be used to pay for

We can only pay you back for eligible costs. Eligible costs must directly relate to your project activities.

Eligible Activities

• Renovate - improve the functionality of a training facility to increase its usefulness without increasing the building's footprint
• Expand - increase capacity of a facility to train more individuals through existing programs and/or deliver additional training
• Build - constructing new training facilities to increase the availability of quality apprenticeship training
• Activities relating to the planning phase of construction for the above are also eligible

Eligible costs

• Costs for the construction, expansion or the renovation of a building and relevant exterior infrastructure (for example, parking lot), including materials, supplies and labour
• Costs for the purchase or rental of tools, equipment or machinery necessary to complete the project
• Costs of inspections, development charges, demolition of building section and construction permitting fees (for example, site plan approval, building permits, foundation permits)
• LEED Certification or similar designations designed to reduce environment footprint and enhance energy conservation
• Professional fees such as:
  • architects
  • engineers
  • interior designers
  • construction consultants
  • contractors
  • research,
  • evaluations
  • audits
• Printing and communication costs (limited, and requiring a rationale as to how it is essential to the project)
• Administrative costs of up to 15% of the direct project costs
• Wages and mandatory employment-related costs for project staff

Ineligible costs

• Purchase or lease of real property, such as buildings or land
• Costs associated with core or on-going business activities of your organization
• Costs paid to employers such as, but not limited to, compensation to allow employees to participate in project
• Consultation fees for individuals who are also receiving a salary from the organization or its partners
• Costs incurred to prepare the project proposal
• Entertainment costs
• Expenditures outside the start and end dates of a signed agreement with ESDC
• Fines or penalties
• Hospitality and travel costs
• Demolition of a full building
• Infrastructure development beyond property lines (for example, roads, sewer, storm systems, powerlines)
• Purchase of training equipment and materials, including for mobile training units

• Costs for the purchase or lease of vehicles

Other eligibility requirements

• the Expression of Interest form is completed in full
• attestation in part 4 is completed

We may ask you to provide the following documents if you are:

• a union:
  • a copy of your active relevant collective agreements representing Red Seal trades workers
• an organization managing training trust funds for unions representing workers in the Red Seal trades:
  • a copy of an active agreement with a union representing Red Seal trades workers
  • documentation that demonstrates the union's eligibility, such as a copy of active relevant collective agreements representing Red Seal trades workers

How we review your Expression of Interest

The department will review your Expression of interest (EOI) based on:

• how the proposed infrastructure project will increase training capacity and support apprenticeship training delivery
• the demonstrated need for additional training capacity, supported by evidence such as labour market information, waitlists, employer feedback, or other relevant data
• one or more of the 54 Red Seal trades are clearly identified
• the amount of the cash contribution from sources other than the Government of Canada represents at least 50% of the total project cost
  • the cash contribution may represent at least 30% of the total project cost, provided that a justification is submitted explaining the challenges encountered. The Department will review this justification as part of its review of the Expression of Interest.

One or more of the priority criteria below may also be applied when making funding decisions.

Priority may be given to projects that:

• use Canadian suppliers, materials, or content
• seek to increase apprenticeship technical training seats
• support regional representation (excluding Quebec)
• increase training capacity for Red Seal trades that support the Government of Canada priorities including, but not limited to the Defence Industrial Strategy , the Housing Strategy, the Canada Electrification Strategy and Major Projects
• increase training opportunities to improve capacity to support Indigenous housing development
• have completed most project planning, with key project requirements in place, such as design, permits, approvals, and financing, and be ready to start construction within 6 months of the project start date

As part of the review process, the Department may consult with relevant stakeholders and government partners to validate labour market needs, identify complementarities with existing initiatives, and obtain sector-specific expertise. Information gathered through these consultations may be considered in the review of applications and the development of funding recommendations.

The Department will aim to inform you of the results by winter 2027, and organizations selected for funding at the EOI phase will be solicited to submit a full application package.

Things that may impact your eligibility

Your past performance or issues of default in projects with ESDC may impact the eligibility of your application.

When determining the eligibility of your application, ESDC may review information in the public domain including, but not limited to, materials on your website and media articles.

What happens if information is missing from your Expression of Interest

If your Expression of Interest is incomplete, we will send you an email. You will have 5 business days from the date you receive the email to submit the missing information. If your Expression of interest is not complete by that time, it may be rejected.