What this funding opportunity offers

This funding opportunity is to support union-run training centres to renovate, expand, or build new training facilities. It will fund projects that expand training capacity to help boost the supply of skilled tradespeople across Canada.

Eligible organizations may apply for a contribution from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) of:

• $3M for renovation projects
• $10M for expansion or new construction projects

On this page

• Program objectives
• Funding priorities
• Glossary

Program objectives

• Support capital investments to expand union training centre capacity through renovations, expansions and the construction of new training facilities
• Support the growth of a skilled trades workforce by increasing the number of qualified tradespeople and aligning training with workforce needs

Funding priorities

Funding 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

Glossary

Here is a list of key terms used within this application guide.

Apprentices

Individuals enrolled in a supervised work training program in a Red Seal trade. The training program combines on-the-job experience with formal technical instruction. Apprentices are registered with their provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority (usually a provincial or territorial ministry of education or labour, or a trade-specific industry governing body) to complete the training and become certified journeypersons.

Apprenticeship technical training

The formal training that apprentices complete as part of a registered apprenticeship program in a province or territory. It includes classroom instruction and hands-on learning that help apprentices develop the knowledge and skills required to progress through their apprenticeship and achieve certification in their trade.

Cash Contribution

Money given to the project by the applicant, partners, sponsors, or another level of government (provincial, territorial, or municipal). Applicants must record and report this money. They also can prove that the money was added to the project budget by providing proof such as bank statements. Applicants use the money to pay for approved project expenditures.

Equity-deserving group

A person or a group of people who face barriers that limit their full and equal participation in society.

For this intake process, equity-deserving groups include:

• women
• newcomers
• persons with disabilities
• Indigenous peoples
• members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities
• members of racialized communities
• youth

Expansion

The process of adding more space to an existing building to increase its square footage. This could involve constructing a new wing, extending part of the building, adding another floor, or creating classrooms, workshops, or training areas through an addition to the facility to support increased training capacity.

Fiscal year

The Canadian government's fiscal year starts on April 1st and ends on March 31st of the following year.

Indigenous housing development

A residential project or community infrastructure initiative that provides safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate housing for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis individuals, families, and communities.

Indigenous Peoples

The distinct societies of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in Canada.

In-kind contribution

Note: In-kind contributions are not eligible under this funding process.

In-kind contribution are non-monetary donations of goods, services, or time provided to the project by the applicant, partners, sponsors or other level of government (provincial, territorial, or municipal governments). Examples include:

• donation of goods:
  • a project partner donates welding equipment to the project
  • the funding recipient gives computers and office furniture for project staff
  • a sponsor gives tools to the project
  • a project partner purchase and provides building materials for project activities
• donation of services:
  • a project partner provides architectural and engineering services for the design of a new training facility that will support apprenticeship and skilled trades training. The project receives the benefit of these professional services at no cost. The fair market value of the architectural and engineering services is treated as an in-kind contribution
• donation of time:
  • a project partner assigns an employee to work part-time or full-time to the project. Even though the partner continues to pay the employee's salary internally, the project receives the benefit of the employee's time and expertise at no cost. The labour is donated to the project, not the salary payment

Journeypersons

Skilled trades workers who have finished an approved apprenticeship program, demonstrated all required competencies in their trade, and passed the required certification exams. Journeypersons can also obtain a Red Seal endorsement where they are allowed to work independently in a Red Seal trade across Canada.

New construction

The construction of a new training facility, building, or structure on a new or existing site to create additional training space and increase training capacity.

Organization managing training trust funds for a union or training funds

A non-profit organization that is established primarily for the benefit of organized labour. The organization is:

• established to provide occupational training to members of a local union
• jointly managed by unions and employers
• established by multi-employer collective agreements

Pre-apprentices

Individuals who are preparing to enter an apprenticeship program by gaining basic skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience in a trade before officially becoming an apprentice. These individuals are not registered as apprentices or do not hold journeyperson certification but are permitted to work in the trade by the jurisdictional apprenticeship authority.

Red Seal trades

A skilled trade that is part of the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program. This program sets national standards for certain trades allowing certified workers to have their qualifications recognized across all provinces and territories. There are 54 Red Seal Trades.

List of 54 Red Seal trades

• Agricultural Equipment Technician
• Appliance Service Technician
• Auto Body and Collision Technician
• Automotive Refinishing Technician
• Automotive Service Technician
• Baker
• Boilermaker
• Bricklayer
• Cabinetmaker
• Carpenter
• Concrete Finisher
• Construction Craft Worker
• Construction Electrician
• Cook
• Drywall Finisher and Plasterer
• Floorcovering Installer
• Gasfitter Class A
• Gasfitter Class B
• Glazier
• Hairstylist
• Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
• Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer)
• Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator)
• Heavy Equipment Operator (Tractor- Loader-Backhoe)
• Industrial Electrician
• Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
• Instrumentation and Control Technician
• Insulator (Heat and Frost)
• Ironworker (Generalist)
• Ironworker (Reinforcing)
• Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental)
• Landscape Horticulturalist
• Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)
• Machinist
• Metal Fabricator (Fitter)
• Mobile Crane Operator
• Motorcycle Technician
• Oil Heat System Technician
• Painter and Decorator
• Parts Technician
• Plumber
• Powerline Technician
• Recreation Vehicle Service Technician
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
• Roofer
• Sheet Metal Worker
• Sprinkler Fitter
• Steamfitter/Pipefitter
• Tilesetter
• Tool and Die Maker
• Tower Crane Operator
• Transport Trailer Technician
• Truck and Transport Mechanic
• Welder

Remote location

Remote location refers to:

• all communities in Nunavut,
• all communities in Labrador, or
• a community located over 350 km from the closest urban core identified as a Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) or Census Agglomerations (CA)
  • Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) is a major urban core with a total of at least 100,000 people. It can include adjacent municipalities of major cities
  • Census Agglomeration (CA) is a small-to-medium sized urban area formed by one or more adjacent municipalities centered on a population core of at least 10,000

Note : You can find the list of Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and Census Agglomeration (CA) by province below, by expanding each section.

Alberta

CMA:

• Lethbridge
• Calgary
• Red Deer
• Edmonton

CA:

• Medicine Hat
• Brooks
• Okotoks
• High River
• Strathmore
• Canmore
• Sylvan Lake
• Lacombe
• Camrose
• Lloydminster
• Grande Prairie
• Wood Buffalo
• Wetaskiwin

British Columbia

CMA:

• Kelowna
• Kamloops
• Chilliwack
• Abbotsford
• Vancouver
• Victoria
• Nanaimo

CA:

• Cranbrook
• Nelson
• Trail
• Penticton
• Vernon
• Salmon Arm
• Squamish
• Ladysmith
• Duncan
• Parksville
• Port Alberni
• Courtenay
• Campbell River
• Powell River
• Williams Lake
• Quesnel
• Prince Rupert
• Terrace
• Prince George
• Dawson Creek
• Fort St. John

Manitoba

CMA:

• Winnipeg

CA:

• Winkler
• Steinbach
• Portage la Prairie
• Brandon
• Thompson

New Brunswick

CMA:

• Moncton
• Saint John
• Fredericton

CA:

• Bathurst
• Miramichi
• Campbellton
• Edmundston

Newfoundland and Labrador

CMA:

• St. John's

CA:

• Grand Falls-Windsor
• Gander
• Corner Brook

Northwest Territories

CA:

• Yellowknife

Nova Scotia

CMA:

• Halifax

CA:

• Kentville
• Truro
• New Glasgow
• Cape Breton

Ontario

CMA:

• Ottawa-Gatineau (Ontario part)
• Kingston
• Belleville - Quinte West
• Peterborough
• Oshawa
• Toronto
• Hamilton
• St. Catharines - Niagara
• Kitchener - Cambridge - Waterloo
• Brantford
• Guelph
• London
• Windsor
• Barrie
• Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury
• Thunder Bay

CA:

• Cornwall
• Hawkesbury
• Brockville
• Pembroke
• Petawawa
• Cobourg
• Port Hope
• Kawartha Lakes
• Centre Wellington
• Ingersoll
• Woodstock
• Tillsonburg
• Norfolk
• Stratford
• Chatham - Kent
• Sarnia
• Essa
• Wasaga Beach
• Owen Sound
• Collingwood
• Orillia
• Midland
• North Bay
• Elliot Lake
• Timmins
• Sault Ste. Marie
• Kenora

Prince Edward Island

CA:

• Charlottetown
• Summerside

Saskatchewan

CMA:

• Regina
• Saskatoon

CA:

• Yorkton
• Moose Jaw
• Swift Current
• North Battleford
• Prince Albert
• Estevan
• Weyburn
• Lloydminster

Yukon

CA:

• Whitehorse

Renovation

Repairing, updating, or improving an existing building without completely rebuilding it, where the proposed changes increase the training capacity. This may include reconfiguring training spaces, classrooms, workshops, or other areas to accommodate more learners or support additional training activities.

Union

An organization of employees that regulates relations between employers and employees. Unions are governed by constitutions and bylaws, and must be registered with federal, provincial or territorial government labour boards.

Union Training Centre

A building or campus where a union provides skilled trades training, such as apprenticeship training, safety training, and skills upgrading.