Resources & Incentives

Apprenticeship is a tried-and-true method of recruiting and maintaining talent.

Apprentices become journeypersons with better health and safety performance, greater overall productivity, and fewer mistakes.

Apprentices learn your business first. That means they learn the way you do things and the unique, specialized skills that best serve your business.

A journeyperson who has done their apprenticeship with your organization will be a better fit and will build strong relationships with your customers.

Employers with apprentices enjoy higher sales and profits. There are financial incentives for employers who hire apprentices.

Visit NSApprenticeship.ca for more details.

The 2020-2021 Training Schedule for NS Apprenticeship Agency is here

The objective of the Apprenticeship START program is to encourage employers to register and employ apprentices.

The program offers $2,500 signing and completion payments ($5,000 payments for employers who register diverse apprentices) and $5,000 annually for each year an employer has an apprentice who progresses (for qualifying employers).

Funding for each employer over the course of their apprentice’s program is up to $30,000.

https://www.nsapprenticeship.ca/sites/default/files/files/App_Start_Guidelines.pdf

The START Program helps connect employers with unemployed Nova Scotians who can fill their job vacancies. For employers, START offers a wage incentive and other types of funding if they hire an unemployed Nova Scotian. For unemployed individuals, START provides a letter that helps them market their skills and the program to potential employers.

The START Program helps employers find and attract the people they need. Employers can receive funding when they hire eligible unemployed Nova Scotians to fill their job vacancies.

You can apply to the program as an employer or as an individual.

https://novascotia.ca/programs/start/

A non-refundable tax credit available to employers equal to 10% of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices in respect of

employment after May 1, 2006. The maximum credit is $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-41200-investment-tax-credit/apprenticeship-job-creation-tax-credit.html

Hire a recent graduate and the Government of Nova Scotia will cover a portion of their salary. Employers receive 25% of the first year’s salary – 35% if the new graduate is a member of a designated diversity group – and 12.5% of the second year’s salary. The position must be new, permanent, full-time, and pay at least $30,000 a year. You can’t receive funding from any other government employment program for this position.

https://novascotia.ca/programs/graduate-to-opportunity/?gclid=CjwKCAiA-vLyBRBWEiwAzOkGVJpmdp-WKVUFmK1Tr27S-9nQ2XAitzVapAOkAYhQBlj629cSDPVrphoC8jsQAvD_BwE

The Co-op Education Incentive helps employers hire post-secondary co-operative education students for work placements.

Employers can hire a co-op student for a work term of 12-16 weeks. You’ll receive a subsidy of $7.50 an hour for the wages you pay the student. There are 32 week terms available in some education programs – please confirm with the Co-op Coordinator at the postsecondary institution.

https://novascotia.ca/programs/co-op-education-incentive/

Work-Sharing is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. A Work-Sharing agreement is between employers, employees, and Service Canada.

The Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive (WIPSI) is intended to support new and incremental activity to help businesses compete outside Nova Scotia. Training should help your business move in a new direction or expand your core operations and promote growth and profitability. If you are a small business in Nova Scotia with less than 50 employees, you may be eligible for up to 100% of your training costs to be covered up to $10,000. For larger businesses, WIPSI provides up to 50% of direct training costs.

https://novascotia.ca/programs/workplace-innovation-productivity-skills-incentive/

Canada Summer Jobs provides funding to small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 years, particularly those facing barriers to employment, get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to transition successfully into the labour market.

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs.html

If you are an employer wanting to develop and carry out strategies that deal with labour force adjustments and meeting human resource requirements, the Labour Market Partnerships program can help. This program funds projects that can encourage and support you. To be eligible, proposed activities must focus on an identified labour market issue, be assessed as likely having a positive effect on the labour market, involve partnership. This funding can be used to cover wage and employment costs, research or technical studies costs, and other costs directly related to eligible project activities (as negotiated with program officers).

https://novascotia.ca/employmentnovascotia/programs/documents/ENSFactSheet-LMP.pdf

The VFC Fellowship Program allows you to get connected to recent graduates available for full-time, entry-level work experience opportunities in start-ups across Canada.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary labour and skill shortages.

The Canada Small Business Financing Program makes it easier for small businesses or start-ups with gross annual revenues of $10 million or less, to get loans from financial institutions by sharing the risk with lenders.

This is a one-stop-shop to check out what funding programs are available through Employment, Workforce Development, and Disability Inclusion that support jobs, training, and social development. Available for a multitude of programs are grants (unconditional transfers for eligible activities) and contributions (need to meet certain performance targets). Funding categories relevant to the aftermarket industry include Career Development and Employment and Youth and Students.

Post jobs, sort resumes, streamline your hiring process, and find the right people. Detailed pre-screening reports and interview guides are generated for each candidate – offering guidance that focuses on a candidate’s “fit” for the job.

Benefit from long-term results – less turnover and more confidence that you’ve hired and trained people who are right for the role.

SkillsPass training programs are designed to help automotive industry owners and managers, employees, and job-seekers develop the necessary skills to succeed in today’s workforce

Nova Scotia Works is a one-stop job search and career advice resource.

Various programs to assist existing and aspiring entrepreneurs. Not-for-profit community-based organizations run by volunteers from the local business community who firmly believe in improving the economic viability of their communities.

Free and easy to access information, downloadable templates, practical guides, links to relevant resources, and more to help you find, develop and keep your valued employees.

Information, tools and resources to support employers as they tap into the unique and beneficial blend of skills, abilities, and perspectives that diverse employees bring to the workplace.

• https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home
• Essential Skills performed by most workers in an occupation

Can help you meet your human resource needs by connecting you to potential employees in a number of ways.

Continuing Education Courses provide a variety of opportunities for lifelong learning, skills and technology upgrading, recreational and cultural programming.

Succession Planning

CARS Training Network is an aftermarket automotive training provider offering complete automotive technical and business-related training to individuals, shops and companies across Canada and the United States. Services include online video-based courses addressing a wide range of automotive topics, skills assessments aimed at identifying technician knowledge gaps, and technical support services to help technicians from vehicle diagnosis to successful repair.

Dealership Service Department Training

OEANS helps employers navigate Worker’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia

I-CAR Canada is a training and recognition program, run by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, aimed at skills updating for the collision repair industry.

SCNS is a provincial competition and an opportunity for you to showcase your apprentice talent and promote the trades in our Industry to youth attending the competitions. Apprentices learn new skills and the motive power industry has an opportunity to showcase career choices to young people. Supporting your technicians helps build loyalty and fosters continuous learning.

A Worker’s Compensation Board Safety Certified accreditation is issued to companies who have passed an audit of their health and safety management system. The audits are conducted by audit providers approved by the WCB to conduct WCB Safety Certified audits.

A Worker’s Compensation Board Toolkit. Easy-to-use, step-by-step guidelines and downloadable forms to help you make your workplace safer.

• Corrosion Free Technician Training
• Tire Business A resource for tire service professionals

Deciding where to invest your money, time, and energy is a big decision for many people throughout their career journey. There are steps you can take that will help you make decisions about training and education opportunities that are right for you.

How to Deal with Burnout Post Pandemic

• Bridging Generational Divides: Digital Skills in the Trades
• Employability Skills

Red Seal Occupational Standards and National Occupational Analyses set the standard for Red Seal trades. They are regularly updated to maintain their accuracy and relevance. Industry plays a key role in the development of the Occupational Standards.

This 3-part Orientation (with an additional optional 4th module) is a mandatory mini-course for any new employers who join the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship system with newly registered apprentices. It is packed with detailed information essential for navigating the apprenticeship system in Nova Scotia. While it is intended for new employers with registered apprentices, anyone who is curious about becoming an employer-partner in this post-secondary educational pathway is welcome to take a look. Registration is not required.

Please contact your Industry Training Consultant for information on how to contact ENS regarding the following supports:

• Weekly payments
• Lump-sum (one-time) Payments
• Advanced payment for early purchases
• Reimbursement for previously-made purchases

https://www.nsapprenticeship.ca/apprentices/apprentice-supports

Eligibility for Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG): Apprentices must have completed the first year (level) or second year (level) of a Red Seal trade.

AIG is not payable when AIG-W has been paid for the same trade/level. See below for information about AIG-W.

Apply for the AIG as soon as you receive your official Record of Progress from the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, as there are application deadlines associated with the grant.

If you have any questions, please contact your Industry Training Consultant or the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency at 902-424-5651 or 1-800-494-5651.

To access the online application or to receive more information about deadlines, eligibility, supporting documentation, etc., please visit the Government of Canada website or call 1 866 742-3644 (TTY: 1 866 909-9757).

Eligibility for Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W): Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) announced in the Federal Budget 2018 is a five-year pilot that will better target existing Apprenticeship Grants funding towards improving the economic outcomes for women. Apprenticeship Grant eligibility is limited to apprentices registered with a provincial/territorial/certification authority in a Red Seal trade.

Apprentices must have completed the first year (level) or second year (level) of an approved apprenticeship program having low female representation*. The AIG-W will have a lifetime maximum amount payable of $6,000 to eligible apprentices.

Apprentices who self-identify as a woman on the application guide may be eligible for AIG-W.

To access the online application or to receive more information about deadlines, eligibility, supporting documentation, etc., please visit the Government of Canada website or call 1 866 742-3644 (TTY: 1 866 909-9757). Apply for the AIG-W as soon as you receive your official Record of Progress from the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, as there are application deadlines associated with the grant.

If you have any questions, please contact your Industry Training Consultant or the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency at 902-424-5651 or 1-800-494-5651.

Awards and grants are issued based on available funding.

Apprentices in a designated non-Red Seal trade can apply for a taxable $750 Provincial Apprentice Progression Award if they successfully complete a level of apprenticeship training. Each level of a provincial trade completed will be eligible except the final level of the trade because the apprentice is then eligible for the Provincial Completion Award.

Apprentices in a Red Seal trade can apply for a taxable $750 Provincial Apprentice Progression Award if they successfully complete Level 3 of their apprenticeship program. This does not apply if the trade is 3 levels because they are eligible for the Completion Award.

Apprentices in a designated non-Red Seal trade are eligible to apply for a taxable $2,000 Provincial Apprentice Completion Award once they complete all training requirements and receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship. Apprentices in provincial and Red Seal trades must apply for their progression and completion awards within 90 days of becoming eligible.

Apply for the Provincial Progression Award.

Apprentices must have completed their apprenticeship program on, or after, January 1, 2009, and must have passed the Red Seal Exam. The ACG will have a lifetime maximum amount payable of $2,000 to eligible apprentices. The Certificate of Apprenticeship (with Red Seal endorsement), which is issued to all completing apprentices, will be the proof of eligibility.

Apply: Forms & info are available on Service Canada’s website or by phone: 1-866-742-3644 (TTY: 1-866-909-9757).

Awards and grants are issued based on available funding.

Apprentices in non-Red Seal apprenticeship programs that have 3, 4 or 5 levels of training are eligible to apply for a taxable $2,000 Provincial Apprentice Completion Award once they complete all training requirements and receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Awards will be processed twice yearly:

For clients who meet the criteria and apply between January and June, award will be processed in October. For clients who meet criteria and apply between July and December, award will be processed in April. Apply for the Provincial Completion Award. Applications must be received within six months of achieving eligibility.

The Canada Apprentice Loan is available to help registered Red Seal apprentices cover the cost of their training. The Government of Canada offers apprentices registered in a Red Seal Trade apprenticeship program up to $4,000 per period of technical training. MORE INFO at the Employment and Social Development Canada website…

Apprentices will be paid a wage for their experience on the job and they will have the opportunity to apply for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits when they begin apprenticeship technical training.

While participating in apprenticeship technical training, you may be entitled to income support through Employment Insurance (EI) benefits from Service Canada.

Employers can now complete and submit apprentices’ Records of Employment (ROEs) online. MORE INFO at the Service Canada website…

Individuals may be eligible to access a Canada Student Loan

Visit the Government of Canada Website here for more details

If you need education-related services or equipment, apply for the Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Permanent Disabilities. You can apply at the same time as you apply for student aid with your province or territory.

This program provides for the payment of outstanding eligible wages to individuals whose employer is bankrupt or subject to a receivership. Eligible wages under the program include salaries, commissions, vacation, termination, and severance pay.

Work-Sharing is an adjustment program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. A Work-Sharing agreement is between employers, employees, and Service Canada.

Youth Apprentices are exempted from the registration fee.

In addition to EI, there are other benefits that you may qualify for, such as financial assistance to cover costs associated with training, child care, living away from home, travel assistance, commuting allowance, and disability allowance.

Although every effort is made to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, apprentices should consult the official source of information about additional financial assistance.

The Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction provides employed tradespersons with an annual deduction of up to $500 to help cover the cost of new tools necessary for their trade. The deduction applies to the total cost of eligible tools if:

• the total cost exceeds $1,000;
• the tools were purchased after May 1, 2006;
• the purchase was made by an employed tradesperson.

MORE INFO at the Canada Revenue Agency website.

Tradespersons may also be eligible for an HST Rebate on the purchase of new, required tools.

A variable federal tax credit is available to skilled workers for examination fees where the exam is required to obtain a professional status, certification or license.

Applies to depreciable property such as equipment/tools. Up to a $500 tax deduction that lowers the amount of taxes owed by permitting the cost of business-related assets to be deducted from your income over a number of years.

The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program provides funding to Indigenous service delivery organizations (ISET holders). ISET Holders design and deliver job training services for Indigenous people in their communities. This includes essential skills such as literacy and numeracy and more advanced training for in-demand jobs.

This 5-part Orientation is a mandatory mini-course for newly registered apprentices. It is packed with detailed information essential for navigating the apprenticeship system in Nova Scotia. While it is intended for registered apprentices, anyone who is curious about this post-secondary pathway is welcome to take a look. Registration is not required.