SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN — More than 630 Saskatchewan apprentices have taken advantage of the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Completion Grant, and another 5,800 are receiving the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant.

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, applauded the take-up of the two grant programs at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) today, where she was congratulating apprentices.

“Our government wants to help Canadians develop the skills they need to compete in the global market and build a better future for themselves and their families,” said Minister Finley. “I am pleased that so many apprentices in Saskatchewan are taking advantage of the opportunity to become skilled tradespeople.”

“Financial support for apprentices certainly helps them make ends meet, but it also provides a much-valued endorsement of their post-secondary education path and career decisions,” said Dr. Robert G. McCulloch, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology. “In addition to offering 159 certificate, diploma and degree programs, SIAST provides technical training to apprentices in 26 trades.”

Under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant is a $2,000 grant for apprentices who have completed their training in a designated Red Seal trade and have received their journeyperson certification.

Red Seal certification is a nationally recognized standard for skilled trades that boosts tradespeople’s ability to work anywhere in Canada.

The Government of Canada also offers the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, which is a grant of $1,000 per year for registered apprentices who have successfully completed their first or second year/level of an apprenticeship program in a Red Seal trade. The maximum amount an individual can receive is $2,000.

The federal government has committed more than $40 million per year for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant to encourage apprentices to become certified journeypersons in Red Seal trades, which will allow them to work almost anywhere in Canada.

By combining the two apprenticeship grants, apprentices who complete their training and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade could receive a total of $4,000.