Prepare to apply

What is your organization's legal name? The legal name is usually:

• the name on your registration with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or provincial/territorial equivalent, or
• the name used on funding cheques, bank accounts, etc.

What is the operating (or common) name of your organization (if it differs from the legal name)?

What is your 15-digit CRA business number? (For example, 123456789 RR 0001).

For registered charities and not-for-profit organizations, what is your registration number?

You can find your CRA business number on tax-related documents or written communications from the CRA.

For more information, please visit Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) .

If you don't have a:

• CRA business number, or
• not-for-profit registration number

You must provide one of following documents:

If incorporated

• a copy of letters of patent
• articles of incorporation
• certificate of incorporation
• memorandum of association
• your rules, by-laws, or constitution

If not incorporated

• a copy of your rules, bylaws, council resolutions, or constitution

Choose 1 of the following:

• not-for-profit
  Not-for-profit organizations are established for purposes other than financial gain for their members. They primarily receive provincial/federal funding (supplemented by fundraising and fees), often rely on volunteers to deliver programs, and are often governed by a Board of Directors or a Committee. These organizations include:
  • community, charitable or voluntary organizations, including faith-based organizations (for example, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques)
  • associations of workers or employers as well as professional and industrial organizations
  • Indigenous not-for-profit organizations
  • non-governmental organizations
  • unions
  • sector councils
  • not-for-profit Band Councils
• public sector employers
  All companies and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Government of Canada are classified as public sector employers. For the purposes of certain statutes, various agencies, such as school boards and hospitals, are considered part of the public sector. They are often referred to as parapublic organizations. Public sector employers can be large or small, though often have numerous employees and are governed by Public Policy mandates.
  Public sector employers include:
  • public community colleges and vocational schools
  • public health, including public hospitals, nursing homes, senior citizen homes, rehabilitation homes
  • public degree-granting universities and colleges
  • municipal governments and agencies, including regional legislative bodies and departments
  • school boards and elementary and secondary institutions
  • territorial governments and agencies
  • provincial governments and agencies
  When a public sector employer uses a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) registered charity business number, it doesn't change the organization's designation to a not-for-profit.
• private sector employers 
  Private sector employers are established to generate a profit or to provide an economic advantage to their proprietors, members or shareholders. They primarily operate through company profits but can be supplemented by Provincial/Federal government funding. These employers are privately owned and are independently managed. Note that volunteers may deliver some programs and a Board of Directors may govern the business.
  Private sector employers include:
  • bodies, incorporated or unincorporated, including partnerships and sole proprietorships
  • financial Institutions
  • business, incorporated or unincorporated bodies, which include:
    • federal Crown corporations operating in a competitive environment and not ordinarily dependent on appropriations for operating purposes as indicated in Schedule III, Part II of the Financial Administration Act
    • provincial and territorial Crown corporations recognized as operating in a competitive environment and not ordinarily dependent on appropriations for operating purposes
    • private health and educational institutions
    • independent owners of franchises
  • Indian Band corporations
  • private Band Councils
  • private universities or colleges
    
    Note: Private sector organizations are only eligible for funding if the nature and intent of project activities is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives.

Select the most appropriate category from the following based on what you chose in Question 4.

• Not-for-profit sector
  • Local community, charitable, or voluntary
  • Provincial non-governmental organizations
  • National non-governmental organizations
  • Not-for-profit band councils
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) with a focus on encouraging employment
  • Unions
  • Associations of workers and/or of employers
  • Indigenous not-for-profit groups
  • Sector councils
• Private sector
  • Businesses, bodies incorporated or unincorporated
  • Banks
  • Private universities or colleges
  • Indian band corporations (profit basis)
  • Private band councils
• Public sector
  • Public degree school boards / school districts
  • Municipal public health
  • Municipal governments and agencies
  • Provincial governments and agencies
  • Territorial governments
  • Public community colleges and vocational schools
  • Public degree-granting universities
  • Public degree-granting colleges

Note: We may ask you to provide supporting documents to confirm your organization's category:

• unions may be asked to provide a copy of a relevant collective agreement
• organizations managing training trust funds for a union representing workers in a Red Seal trade may be asked to provide a copy of an active collective agreement with a union representing Red Seal workers, as well as documentation that would demonstrate the union's eligibility

What year was your organization established?

What is your organization's address? Give a complete address in a format recognized by Canada Post. For more information, please visit Canada Post website .

• question 7: Organization Address
• question 8: City or Town
• question 9: Province or Territory
• question 10: Country
• question 11: Postal Code

What is your organization's telephone number, Website (if it has one) and email address?

• question12: Telephone Number
• question 13: Website
• question 14: E-mail Address

What is the mailing address of your organization (if it differs from your organization's physical address)?

• question 15: Mailing Address
• question 16: City or Town
• question 17: Province or Territory
• question 18: Country
• question 19: Postal Code

What is your organization's telephone number?

What are your organization's main activities, including your mandate, mission and objectives?

Select the target group(s) that best aligns with your organization's mandate (more than one may be selected).

Note: your answer to this question won't impact the assessment of your proposed project. (Optional):

• seniors
• newcomers
• racialized people
• youth
• women
• 2SLGBTQI+
• people with disabilities
• low income
• remote / rural
• individuals experiencing homelessness
• official language minority communities
• Indigenous (specify)
  • First Nations
  • Inuit
  • Metis
  • Urban/Non-Affiliated
• other (specify)
• not applicable

Who is the main contact person for the proposed project? Provide the contact information for the person who will be ESDC's primary contact person in respect to your application for funding. Include the following details:

• question 22: Given (first) name and surname (last name)
• question 23: What is the title of the contact person named in question 22? For example:
  • Business Owner
  • President
  • Executive Director
• question 24: What official language would your contact person prefer to use in written and spoken communications? Choose either English or French.
• question 25: Indicate if the address of the organization primary contact is the same as the organization address, same as the organization mailing address, or different. If it is different, provide the following for the primary contact person (questions 26 to 33):
• question 26: Contact Address
• question 27: City or Town
• question 28: Province or Territory
• question 29: Country
• question 30: Postal Code
• question 31: Telephone number, including extension
• question 32: E-mail Address

If we can't reach the main contact, who else can we contact? Provide the person's full name, telephone number where we can reach them during business hours and their email address.

• Question 33: Given (first) name and surname (last name)
• Question 34: What is the title of the contact person named in question 33? For example:
  • Business Owner
  • President
  • Executive Director
• Question 35: What official language would the secondary contact person prefer to use in written and spoken communications? Choose either English or French
• Question 36: Indicate if the organization secondary contact address is the same as the Organization Address, same as the Organization Mailing Address, or different. If it is different, provide the following for the secondary contact person (Questions 37 to 43):
• question 37: Contact Address
• question 38: City or Town
• question 39: Province or Territory
• question 40: Country
• question 41: Postal Code
• question 42: Telephone Number, including extension
• question 43: E-mail Address

Answer Yes or No. If you answer no to this question, please describe how your organization is managed.

A governing board is a group of individuals who are responsible for making decisions, overseeing the activities and direction of an organization. If there is no board, please describe how your organization functions. For example, are there regular meetings held between employees to discuss day to day operations, is there a decision-making process in place, discussion on the organization's objectives and provide oversight and guidance.

Please answer Yes or No to the following items:

• Human Resources
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Other. Please, specify

If no, please describe how your organization addresses the areas of Human Resources issues (such as hiring, compensation and benefits, and employee relationships), and Occupational Health and Safety? Please describe any other policies your organization may follow to create a supportive and productive work environment.

Please answer Yes or No to the following items:

• Financial Management System (for example, tracking expenses, general ledger, etc.)
• Policies and Procedures
• Staff Managing Finances

If no, please describe how finances are managed within your organization. Financial management includes measures that are in place to effectively manage the organization's finances. Please describe your organization's ability to effectively manage financial activities. Examples may include financial planning, budgeting, reporting and cashflow management.

Please answer Yes or No.

If yes, does your organization have controls in place to verify that the funded amount can be accounted for? Describe how your organization will manage funding distributed to other parties.

Indicate the total number of people employed in your organization or business. The number of employees must be a whole number.

Important transformations refer to events such as:

• a change in leadership in the board of directors or at the executive level
• a significant reduction, increase or turnover in staff
• a merger with or split from another organization
• a change in mandate or main activities

If you answer yes, please provide a description of the changes.

• Provide a description of your organization's experience and expertise in:
  • delivering projects that support pre-apprentices, apprentices, journeypersons or any combination of these 3 groups
  • administering projects with Employment and Social Development Canada
• Provide the number of years of experience you have for each of those you identified above. Your answer should include the total number of years of experience on each of the above statements. For example:
  • 6 years of experience implementing a new training program for pre-apprentices and apprentices in the construction sector
  • 3 years developing new tools to support training in the Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) trade

If you answer yes, please complete the fields for each amount owing. We won't reject your application for this reason. However, you must provide detail as to the type of debt and the arrangements you have for repayment. (Question 52)

Give a short title that describes your project.

State the planned start and end dates of your project. The maximum project duration is 60 months.

We'll notify you by email of the outcome of the review of your application. You can't begin any of the proposed activities or incur any expenses until a Funding Agreement has been signed by both you and the Department. Don't assume any commitment until the signing of the Funding Agreement. If you purchase anything for the project after the approval but before the signing of the Agreement, you do so at your own risk.

You must clearly describe your project by addressing the following:

1. Context

You must clearly describe the focus of your project, including who they intend to serve and the trades they intend to support. Your response should include:

• a) Project focus
  • Identify the themes your project will focus on. You may select more than one theme.
• b) Participants and Red Seal trades
  Identify:
  • the participant groups the project will serve
  • the Red Seal trades targeted
  • the locations where activities will be delivered
  • the equity-deserving groups targeted
  • the participant recruitment approach, including recruitment through union networks, training centres, community organizations, and employer referrals

Your project may target more than one Red Seal trade.

2. Labour Market Need, Barriers and Impact

You must clearly describe the labour market need your project will address, the factors contributing to it, and why it is important to address.

• a) The problem
  Describe the labour market need your project will address and explain how it relates to your project objectives and the objectives of the program. Your response should include evidence supporting the identified labour market need, such as labour market information, apprenticeship data, employer demand, industry reports, workforce forecasts, or stakeholder consultations. For example:
  • The project helps address the ongoing shortage of certified electricians in the region. Local employers report difficulty finding qualified workers, which can lead to project delays, higher labour costs, and less ability to take on new work. Labour market forecasts and industry reports show that demand for electricians will remain strong because of continued construction, infrastructure, and clean energy projects. At the same time, retirements are reducing the number of experienced workers available. The project will help apprentices complete their training and become certified, increasing the number of qualified journeypersons. This supports the program's goal of strengthening the skilled trades workforce and helping employers meet current and future labour market needs.
  • The construction industry continues to face labour shortages, partly because many apprentices don't complete their training or become certified. Although many people start apprenticeship programs, a significant number don't finish their technical training or earn certification, reducing the number of qualified journeypersons entering the workforce. Employers and industry organizations have identified apprentice retention and completion as key challenges. The project will provide targeted supports, mentorship, and training resources to help apprentices progress through their programs and achieve certification. By increasing apprenticeship completion rates, the project will expand the pool of skilled workers and support the program's goal of addressing labour shortages in high-demand trades.
• b) The root causes (gaps or barriers)
  Identify and describe the specific gaps or barriers contributing to the labour market need. For example:
  • limited access to apprenticeship placements and low employer participation prevent individuals from entering training pathways
  • training programs aren't aligned with current industry needs, resulting in skills mismatches for graduates
• c) The impacts
  Explain how these gaps or barriers affect participants (pre-apprentices, apprentices, and journeypersons) and the broader labour market, and describe why it is important to address them. For example:
  • participants are unable to gain the skills and experience needed to secure stable employment, leading to unemployment and missed opportunities
  • employers face ongoing labour shortages, project delays, and increased costs due to a lack of qualified workers

3. Project Objectives

You must clearly describe what your project aims to achieve and how these objectives will address the identified labour market need and barriers.

• a) Project objectives
  Describe the objectives of your project and explain how they support the objectives of the program. For example:
  • increase access to apprenticeship opportunities for individuals seeking to enter eligible Red Seal trades
  • improve apprenticeship completion and certification rates among apprentices
• b) Response to identified needs
  Explain how your project objectives will address the identified labour market need, gaps, or barriers. For example:
  • the project's objective is to increase apprenticeship placements in response to limited employer participation and training opportunities
  • the project's objective is to improve apprenticeship progression in response to identified skills gaps and insufficient participant supports

4. Partnerships and Stakeholders

You must clearly describe the role of project partners, and stakeholders and how they will contribute to achieving the project's objectives

• a) Partners and their contributions
  Identify your project partner(s) and explain why they were selected. Clearly describe each partner's role, contribution, and the value they bring to the project, including any specialized expertise, resources, networks, or connections that will support project success. Explain why each partner is essential to achieving the project's objectives. For example:
  • an industry association (partner) will use its employer network to support outreach and employer engagement
  • a training provider (partner) will contribute specialized technical expertise and industry knowledge to support project delivery
• b) Stakeholders and their contributions
  Identify any relevant stakeholders who may have an interest in the project or its outcomes. Describe their interest in the project and explain how their contributions support the achievement of the project's objectives. For example:
  • employers will provide feedback on workforce needs to help ensure the project's objectives address current labour market challenges
  • community organizations will provide insights into barriers faced by participants, helping to ensure the project's objectives respond to participant needs

If your project addresses one or both priorities, you must clearly explain how your project objectives align with the selected priority(ies) and what results you expect to achieve.

You must clearly describe the activities that will be delivered to achieve your project's objectives including how the project will be implemented, including milestones, timelines, and partner responsibilities required to achieve the project's objectives.

1. Project activities

• Describe the activities that will be delivered as part of the project. Explain why each activity is necessary and how it supports the achievement of one or more project objectives. For each major activity:
  • identify what will be delivered
  • who will participate
  • where the activity will take place
  • which Red Seal trade(s) are targeted
  • which partner(s) are involved
  • the expected output
• If your project includes the purchase of training equipment or materials, clearly identify:
  • the equipment or materials being purchased
  • why they are needed
  • how they support project activities
  • where they will be used
  • who will use them
  • the estimated number of participants who will benefit

For example:

• the project will deliver 10 technical training sessions for 100 apprentices in the Construction Electrician and Carpenter Red Seal trades in Northern Ontario. Training will be delivered by the union training centre and will result in participants developing industry-relevant technical skills.
• the project will provide mentorship, and coaching supports to 75 apprentices in the Welder and Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Red Seal trades in Manitoba. Mentorship activities will be delivered by experienced journeypersons and employer partners to support apprenticeship retention, progression, and completion.

2. Activity sequence and milestones

Describe how the activities will be organized and presented in a logical sequence. Identify the key milestones and explain how the activities and tasks will contribute to achieving them. For example:

• participants will complete foundational skills training before beginning a workplace placement
• employer engagement activities will be completed before apprenticeship placements are established

3. Timelines

Provide clear and realistic timelines for each activity and milestone. Explain how the proposed timelines support successful project delivery within the funding period. For example:

• participant recruitment and intake will occur during the first three months of the project
• technical training will be delivered between Months 4 and 9, followed by work placements

4. Project Partners and their roles and responsibilities

Identify any activities that will be delivered by project partners and clearly describe their roles and responsibilities. For example:

• a training provider (partner) will develop and deliver technical training
• an industry association (partner) will support employer outreach and apprenticeship placement opportunities

Eligible activities include, but aren't limited to those that:

• develop and implement training approaches, resources, and technologies that support the adoption of new construction methods, and artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools in apprenticeship training
• expand, replicate, or scale best practices that support individuals to explore, prepare for, progress in, and complete pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways in the Red Seal trades
• support the participation and success of equity-deserving groups facing increased barriers in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship in the skilled trades, such as youth, women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, racialized individuals, and newcomers
• promote careers in the skilled trades, as well as related essential skills and technologies
• develop and use tools, approaches, or products that support learning, skills development, and workplace training, including upskilling, continuing development, mentorship in the Red Seal trades

Ineligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• the purchase of training equipment and materials as the sole activity of the project

• activities that support an organization's core operations or ongoing mandate, including costs for existing activities, administrative overhead, governance functions, and other expenses that would be incurred regardless of project funding

Consider the following example to present your project activities and timelines:

Phase 1: Engagement and Planning Phase - Months 1 to 6

• Establishing project steering committee: this committee will be composed of partner representatives and be responsible for overseeing the development of activities. This will ensure that partners are engaged throughout the project
• Hiring project management staff: create a project management unit and hire 6 resources responsible for leading the project, managing the project's schedule, financial resources, tracking results and reporting on progress to the steering committee and ESDC
• Recruiting subject matter experts that will act as advisors during the development of specialized activities. This will be done through a competitive process to implement contracts with specialists during specific development phases
• Finalizing of project's workplans with partners by breaking down activities, milestones, and performance indicators
• Developing communication strategy and plan: develop a marketing strategy, create marketing assets, determine marketing tools, and launch marketing campaign to promote activities, increase awareness and help recruit new participants

Phase 2: Development of material and tools - Months 7 to 12:

• Develop training strategy and curriculum: conduct research on learning objectives, conduct needs assessment in collaboration with learning specialists, colleges, and unions partners. Partners will play a key role in providing expert advice and guidance in the development of the curriculum
• Develop training material and tools: gather content by collecting relevant information and resources for training, develop training structure and storyboard and create training material. Assess training material with focus group. Partners will also be involved in the assessment of the material by testing the courses' material with their apprentices
• Monitor the project's progress to report to ESDC, collect data and review project plan. Provide an annual report on Results Measurement Indicators to ESDC

You must clearly describe the results you expect to achieve through the delivery of project activities and how these results will contribute to addressing the identified labour market need and achieving the project's objectives.

1. Participant Groups and Numbers

• You must clearly identify the participant groups that will benefit from the project. Provide the approximate number of participants by category:
  • pre-apprentices
  • apprentices
  • journeypersons
  • other skilled trades workers, if applicable
• Explain how you calculated these estimates, including any information used to determine the numbers, such as past experience, partner input, or expected demand.

For example:

• 50 pre-apprentices will participate in introductory skills development activities
• 100 apprentices will receive training and mentorship supports

2. Expected Outputs and Outcomes

You must clearly describe the results you expect to achieve and explain how these results support the project's objectives.

a) Outputs

Describe the immediate and measurable deliverables resulting from project activities.

Outputs are tangible products, including goods and services that will be produced to generate the desired outcomes; several activities could contribute to one output. They answer the question, "what will the project produce?". For example:

• a new training curriculum for the Industrial Electricians
• 2 training roadmaps for pre-apprentices and apprentices in the Red Seal trade
• online training modules: train-the-trainer guide, tools, reference guides
• delivery of 6 training sessions
• communication and marketing products to promote courses
• 3 partnership agreements with at least 3 other partners for each agreement
• a web platform to support the delivery of training in 5 provinces
• a mentorship program for pre-apprentices and apprentices in the Red Seal trade

b) Outcomes

Describe the changes or benefits participants are expected to achieve as a result of the project, including any knowledge, skills, and competencies they will develop.

Outcomes are the short-term and intermediate changes that are expected to occur as the result of the project (more than one outcome could be directly related to an objective). They answer the questions "How do we know the project is successful?" and "How do the project activities lead to improvements for the participants?". For example:

• increased technical skills among pre-apprentices and apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades
• improved workplace readiness and employability skills
• increased apprenticeship progression and completion rates
• increased confidence and ability to navigate apprenticeship pathways
• improved access to mentorship and career development opportunities

3. Labour Market Results

You must clearly describe how the project's expected results will contribute to addressing the identified labour market need and support broader labour market improvements.

Describe the expected labour market outcomes of the project and explain how they relate to the identified labour market need and project objectives.

Labour market outcomes are the broader changes expected to occur as a result of the project's outputs and participant outcomes. They answer the question: "How will the project contribute to improving labour market conditions?". For example:

• the project will increase the number of qualified apprentices entering the skilled trades workforce
• the project will help employers address workforce shortages by increasing the availability of trained workers
• the project will increase apprenticeship completion and certification rates in eligible red seal trades
• the project will strengthen employer participation in apprenticeship training and workforce development
• the project will improve access to apprenticeship opportunities for equity-deserving groups
• the project will help address skills shortages in sectors experiencing high demand for skilled trades workers

Does the project include Results Measurement indicators?* (Question 59)

Projects must include Results Measurement indicators. Answer Yes to this question.

Describe how you'll collect, measure, monitor and report on project results. In your response, please include:

• what information will be collected
• how it will be collected
• who will collect it
• how often it will be collected
• how the information will be validated, where applicable
• how the information will be used to measure project results

Recipients will be required to collect data and report annually on the following key performance indicators:

• number of individuals in a funded project that participate in skills training activities
• number of individuals participating in a funded project who report an increase in skills after program intervention
• number of individuals participating in a funded project who report they are employed in a skilled trade
• number of individuals in funded projects that participate in awareness and exploration activities
• number of partnerships throughout the project duration and type of project partners
  • unions
  • Indigenous organizations
  • educational institutions
  • non-profit organizations
  • for-profit organizations
  • provincial or territorial governments
  • municipal governments

Depending on the goals of your project, you will be required to report on additional results and key indicators specific to your target participants.

1. If your project supports pre-apprentices, you will need to report on:
   • the number of pre-apprentices who report being employed in a skilled trade as a result of skills, supports or connections gained through the project
   • the number of pre-apprentices who register in an apprenticeship program during the project or immediately after as a result of their participation
   • the number of individuals participating in awareness and career exploration activities who intend to register in an apprenticeship program or enter the skilled trades following participation in the project
2. If your project supports apprentices, you will need to report on:
   • the number of apprentices participating in the project who are progressing in their apprenticeship program, reported by trade and equity-deserving group. Progression is defined as having successfully completed apprenticeship level requirements.
   • the number of apprentices who become certified in a skilled trade following participation in the project, reported by trade and equity-deserving group
     Note: Additional reporting requirements may be needed to support the progression of apprentices.
3. If your project supports journeypersons, you will need to report on:
   • the number of journeypersons who gained skills relevant to their trade following participation in the project, reported by trade

For all data results collected on individuals in the funded project (listed above), you'll be required to indicate the number of participants by equity-deserving groups listed below, based on voluntary self-identification by participants themselves:

• youth
• women
• persons with disabilities
• Indigenous people
• members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities
• racialized individuals
• newcomers

A performance indicator provides evidence for results that have or haven't been achieved. They ensure a proper assessment of the progress achieved towards the intended outputs, outcomes, goals, and objectives of the project. You must provide performance indicators, which will clearly demonstrate how you will measure each anticipated result and ensure your project is progressing as planned.

Measuring results is a way to ensure that you know how your project is progressing towards meeting the expected results. ESDC uses the information you provide in this section to assess your capacity to demonstrate results.

Answer Yes or No.

If Yes, describe how the project relates to the ongoing work of your organization.

• Highlight how achievements and current activities and other projects are related to your proposed project
• Include any previous work done by your organization, your partners, and your potential partners
• Include details as to how your project builds on, and doesn't duplicate, this previous work
• Include details on your project management processes

This information helps the Department to determine the extent to which your organization can undertake the proposed project and achieve the expected results.

Indicate "yes" or "no". If "yes", list the main address first, followed by each additional location. Please note that the location and activities must be delivered in Canada (excepting Quebec).

If you have more than 5 locations, please continue your answer in Appendix A.

We may give priority to projects that deliver activities in two or more provinces or territories (excluding Quebec).

If your proposed project involves official language minority communities, you should answer Yes to this question. Please provide the following information:

• identify the linguistic profile of the pre-apprentices and apprentices in the Red Seal trades targeted by your project
• identify their specific needs and how your project will meet these needs
• demonstrate that you have sufficient resources (human and financial) to meet the specific needs

Answering No to this question won't invalidate your application.

We commit to enhance the vitality of the English and French linguistic minorities in Canada. We support and assist their development and foster the full recognition and use of both English and French in Canadian society. Official language minority communities are English-speaking communities established within the province of Quebec and French-speaking communities established outside the province of Quebec.

Find more information about official language minority communities

Indicate the vulnerable groups your project is targeting:

• youth
• women
• persons with disabilities
• Indigenous people
• members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities
• racialized individuals
• newcomers

Your project must include a minimum of 2 partnerships with organizations located in Canada throughout the duration of your project.

Partnerships are different from contracting or subcontracting arrangements.

• A partner works with you to help achieve the project's objectives and results and contributes resources, expertise, funding, facilities, participant recruitment, training delivery, or other support.
• A contractor is paid to provide specific goods or services under a contract (for example, a consultant, evaluator, equipment supplier, or training provider).
• A subcontractor is hired by a contractor or another organization involved in the project to carry out part of the contracted work.

Organizations that are paid only to provide goods or services should be identified as contractors or subcontractors, not project partners.

Describe your partnerships by providing information about the involved partners:

• names of your partners' organization
• the type of organization of your partners
• location of the partner organization(s)
• how the partners will participate in the project
  • roles and responsibilities in the delivery of project
  • time allocated by partners in the project
  • cash and/or in-kind contributions provided by partners, including the value and intended use
  • other resources (human resources, technical expertise, facilities, equipment, networks, etc.) that partners are contributing to the project
• how those partnerships will support the objectives of the project
• how the partners will help achieve the project results
• how long have you been collaborating with those partners

Explain how those partnerships will contribute to support the trades and the apprenticeship training ecosystem. You must provide a proof of partnerships for each partner such as a letter of partnership, written by each partner that clearly outlines all the following elements:

• location of the partner organization(s)
• roles and responsibilities of the partner in the project
• activities that will be carried out by the partner
• any cash and/or in-kind contributions
• other resources committed to the project, if any
• the duration of the partnership
• signed by the partner
• signed by the applicant organization

Not applicable for this funding process.

Answer No to this question.

You must provide the names of all the organizations that will contribute cash or in-kind contributions, or both to this project.

Tell us what type of organization is providing the cash contribution from the following options:

• not-for-profit organizations
• municipal governments
• provincial and territorial governments, institutions, and Crown Corporations
• Indigenous organizations including:
  • band councils
  • tribal councils
  • self-government entities
• international organizations
• coalitions, networks or committees
• research organizations or institutes
• educational institutions
• for-profit organizations

You must provide cash, in-kind contribution or a combination of both of at least 10% towards the project from sources other than the Government of Canada. You can determine the amount to be provided as a cash contribution by using the calculator. Tell us how much cash contributions you'll receive, if applicable.

If your project includes the purchase of new, up-to-date training equipment and materials, you must provide cash contributions from sources other than the Government of Canada equal to at least 30% of the cost of those equipment and materials purchases. This requirement applies only to equipment and materials costs and doesn't apply to other eligible project costs.

Cash contributions are defined direct financial support (money) to the project provided by either the applicant, partners, sponsors, or other levels of government (provincial, territorial, or municipal). The financial supports must be used to pay for eligible expenditures. It must be documented and reported, showing a clear transfer of funds into the project budget, and on the expenditures made with it. For example:

• a project partner transfers $10,000 in cash to the recipient to the project. The recipient uses this money to purchase training equipment. The recipient provides a bank statement to show that the money was received.
• the recipient uses $18,000 from their own money that will be used to pay for participant costs

If we select your project, we'll ask you to submit a letter confirming the cash contribution from a source other than the Government of Canada. That letter will need to confirm that the cash contribution will be available when you'll begin the project.

In-kind contributions are defined as a non-monetary contribution of goods, services, or time donated to the project by the applicant, partners, sponsors or other level of government (provincial, territorial, or municipal governments). These donations must be eligible and essential to complete project activities. They must be included at their fair market value in the application form and project's budget. For example:

• Donation of goods:
  • a project partner donates welding training 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 offers free classroom space to training project participants
  • a project partner pays for the purchase of training materials
• Donation of services:
  • a project partner hires a trainer to deliver apprenticeship training to project participants. The project receives the benefit of the trainer's expertise and instructional services at no cost. The fair market value of the training services is treated as the in-kind donation.
• 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.

To be considered valid, in-kind contributions should contribute to the success of the project, and their monetary equivalency estimated at fair market value.

Tell us if the cash contributions are confirmed.

The maximum amount of funding you can request from ESDC is $5,000,000 per fiscal year, for a maximum of up to $25,000,000.

Note: We can only pay for eligible costs which directly relate to your project activities.

List each cost category for which your project will have a planned expenditure.

Eligible costs include, but not limited to:

• administrative costs used to support project activities (up to 15% of ESDC's total financial support of some of your direct costs), such as:
  • shared postage
  • telephones
  • information technology maintenance
  • head office support
  You can request an amount of up to 15% in administrative costs based on the total amount of these 4 direct costs categories in your Budget Detail Template:
  • staff salaries (section 3A)
  • project costs (section 3C)
  • partnership development costs (section 3D)
  • sub-project costs (section 3F)

You aren't required to detail your administrative costs, simply list them in the budget.

Important: You are still required to keep all documentation of these costs. In the event of an audit, you'll need to supply the supporting documents at that time. Exceptions to the 15% administrative cost limit could be considered in cases involving remote locations, limited access to infrastructure, limited partnership opportunities.

• costs of materials and supplies
• wages and mandatory employment-related costs for project staff
• staff training and professional development costs
• honoraria costs, including Elder fees, limited to industry standards
• travel costs in accordance with the National Joint Council's Travel Directive
• printing and communication costs
• hospitality costs, using the Directive on Travel, Hospitality, Conference and Events Expenditures as a guiding principle
• wage subsidies for work experience and employment-related costs (50% of the wages, up to a maximum of $5,000 or 70% of wages, up to a maximum of $10,000 for equity-deserving groups who face increased barriers to enter and succeed in the skilled trades (for example, youth, women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities, racialized individuals, and newcomers)
• professional fees, such as:
  • research
  • evaluation
  • technical expertise
  • facilitation
• participant costs including, but not limited to:
  • accommodation
  • childcare
  • transportation costs
• costs for project office equipment to support project staff, including but not limited to:
  • IT equipment:
    • computers
    • monitors
    • printers
  • office equipment and supplies:
    • toner and ink cartridges
    • pens and pencils
    • envelopes
  • furniture:
    • desks
    • chairs
    • filing cabinets
• costs for the purchase of training tools, equipment, materials, shipping and installation, including but not limited to:
  • tools:
    • hand tools
    • power tools
    • measuring and testing tools
  • training equipment:
    • welding equipment
    • simulators
    • rigging and Hoisting equipment
    • virtual Reality Equipment
    • computers used to operate technology
  • training consumables:
    • sheet metal
    • nails and screws
    • pipes
    • cement mortar
    • rebar ties

Here are some examples of ineligible costs (but not limited to):

• purchase or lease of real property, such as buildings or land
• facilities costs, such as purchasing land, and construction or renovation
• transportation, such as:
  • vehicle (excludes electric vehicles used to train automotive service technicians)
  • trailer to transport equipment (excludes mobile classrooms used for remote locations)
• costs related to ineligible project activities
• costs associated with core or on-going activities of your organization
• costs paid to employers such as compensation to allow employees to participate in the project
• consultation fees for individuals who are also receiving a salary from your organization or its partner
• costs incurred to prepare proposal
• entertainment costs
• expenditures outside the start and end dates of agreement
• fines or penalties

If the project will involve sub-contracting, a rationale and description of the process to select the subcontractors must be included. If you intend to contract or subcontract for a value of $25,000 or more, a fair and accountable process that includes the solicitation of a minimum of three bids or proposals is required when contracting for the purchase of project-related goods or services. This includes anyone who is hired to deliver the project who isn't an actual employee of the contribution recipient. Failure to comply with ESDC requirements may result in these expenditures being ineligible for reimbursement. In the situation where a contract for goods and services is below the $25,000 threshold, it must still demonstrate the principles of accountability, fairness, and best value for money.

Give the total planned spending from all sources, including us, for each cost category. The amounts should align with those that you put in section A of Part 3 - Anticipated sources of funding of your Application for Funding.

"Other" means a cash or in-kind contribution from other sources other than the Government of Canada.

Check all statements that apply to your planned spending of the funding from us.

In carrying out the project, you may need contractors or third parties (outside providers) to carry out part of the project activities, such as reporting.

"Associated businesses or individuals" means:

• an officer, director or employee of your organization, or a member of their immediate family
• a business in which an officer, director or employee of your organization, or a member of their immediate family, has a financial interest
• a business connected to your organization

Third Party: a person or organization that has signed an agreement with the organization under the terms and conditions of a master agreement between the organization and the federal government.

Indicate Yes or No.

If yes, explain how your project will benefit from the purchase of capital assets. Please specify:

• who will own the assets
• who will be responsible for their maintenance and
• how they will be used and managed after the project ends

A capital asset is any single or composite asset with a purchase value of more than $1,000 (before taxes) that isn't physically incorporated into another product and that remains functional at the end of the project.

A composite asset is a collection of unique assets that form one identifiable functional unit, where all components are required for the asset to be functional. The collection of assets is treated as a single capital asset if the total cost of all individual items together is greater than $1,000 (before taxes).

For example, a personal computer, composed of a hard drive, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and cabling, is a composite capital asset. Four $300 chairs aren't capital assets because each chair is functional on its own as single units and fall below the established threshold of $1,000 (before taxes).

Give us a breakdown of your total costs per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). Please make sure the funding requested from ESDC, the funding requested for each fiscal year, and all other funding sources are consistent throughout the application and the Budget Detail Template.

As an example, this could be the breakdown for a 5-year project with $330,000 in eligible costs:

• April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2028: $50,000
• April 1, 2028, to March 31, 2029: $40,000
• April 1, 2029, to March 31, 2030: $80,000
• April 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031: $80,000
• April 1, 2031, to March 31, 2032: $80,000