Apprentice Wage Subsidy (AWS)

The program is open to employers in the private and non-profit sectors.
 
To participate in the AWS program, employers must sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour’s Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division, demonstrating that:
 
• They have a qualified journeyperson on site in the appropriate trade;
 
• They will offer relevant work experience to the apprentice; and
 
• They will follow all required regulations under the apprenticeship program.
 
Employers deemed eligible under this program shall:
 
• Follow all required regulations as outlined by the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division; and
 
• Release the apprentice from employment to participate in Class Call for training.
 
Participants must be eligible to register with the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour as an apprentice.
 
This means they have successfully completed a pre-employment course in an eligible trade, that is, one requiring 4,500 hours or more of combined training and work hours.
 
Priority is given to:
 
• Women apprentices;
 
• Persons with disabilities;
 
• Visible minority; and
 
• Other under-represented groups
 
. Apprentices are only eligible to be subsidized for two levels of their apprenticeship certification training under the AWS program.