Financial Assistance Options For BC Trades Students
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES:
Federal Government
Comprehensive information on Federal Government support for Apprentices in the form of Grants, Loans and Employment Insurance can be found at Government of Canada Apprentice Support Programs.
Work BC
WorkBC: has created a comprehensive ‘one-stop shop’ where apprentices and their employers can learn about Apprentice Financial Supports available for them from Provincial and Federal sources.
Apprentice Job Seeker?
WorkBC offers a service where Apprentices and other Trades job seekers can register a profile and then create personalized alerts based on Occupation and Location preferences.
SKILLEDTRADESBC RESOURCES:
Women in Trades Training Initiative
Read further details about the Women In Trades initiative and through the emphasis on Money, Opportunity and Satisfaction a pathway to a satisfying Skilled Trades career is being supported.
Indigenous Peoples in Trades
With a focus on working with rural and urban communities, the Indigenous Initiatives Team through the formal Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) holders and Indigenous communities have a number of formal support resources for exploring trades. Please see these details here.
Grants for Apprentices registered in Red-Seal Trades
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant worth $1,000 per level up to a maximum of $2,000 for the first two years of your training in a Red Seal program. Further details can be found here.
Student Resources:
For students already enrolled in a SkilledTradesBC-approved apprentice program that wish to apply to receive apprentice financial support via WorkBC, visit the Apprentice Services page to see if you’re eligible, learn how to apply, and access online supports.
The StrongerBC Future Skills Grant provides up to $3,500 for eligible BC residents aged 19+ to take short-term skills training at public post-secondary institutions. It covers programs in fields like health care, clean energy, construction, mining, marine transportation, and the inclusive economy.
Students are encouraged to contact a training institution of interest where knowledgeable staff can answer your questions on financial aid, registration procedures and training options. Consortium member institutions are listed here.