Toronto 
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a new federal initiative aimed at expanding Canada’s skilled trades workforce.
Prime Minister Mark Carney/Photo: Lars Hagberg / PMO
The program, called Team Canada Strong, includes a $6 billion investment to recruit, train and hire between 80,000 and 100,000 Red Seal trades workers over five years.
The announcement comes as Canada faces growing demand for trades workers. Per the news release, more than 1.4 million workers will be needed by 2033 to support housing construction, infrastructure projects and energy development.
The plan is structured in three parts. For recruitment, $2 billion will fund paid placements intended to lead directly into apprenticeships. A new Build Canada Apprenticeship Service will provide up to $10,000 toward a first-year apprentice’s salary while connecting workers with employers.
Training measures include $331 million over five years to update apprenticeship systems. This includes digitizing the Red Seal Program through online exams, digital logbooks and a single national apprenticeship number.
To support hiring and completion, the government is allocating $3.4 billion over five years. Apprentices who complete a Red Seal trade will be eligible for a one-time $5,000 bonus. Additional support includes a $400 weekly top-up during in-class training, bringing total support to up to $16,000 per apprentice, in addition to Employment Insurance.
The release also outlines $250 million in funding to expand trades training through the Canadian Armed Forces, including new and existing programs offering early exposure and training opportunities.
According to the release, the program aims to provide continuous support from entry into the trades through certification, while reducing the time required to become certified.
