Victoria, British Columbia — In a win for the Canadian skilled trades sector at-large, the ministry of employment and social development announced on Wednesday that a $21 million investment earmarked for the Construction Industry Apprenticeship Program will help at least 2,100 British Columbia-based apprentices earn their red seal certification over the next two years.
The investment will go toward supporting small and medium-sized B.C. businesses in hiring apprentices, at least 500 of whom will be from equity-deserving groups such as women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people and racialized people.
While by name the program appears focused solely on the construction industry, it will also provide opportunities in automotive red seal trades as well, including auto body and collision repair, automotive refinishing—and welding—one of Canada’s most in-demand trades currently.
“We need more skilled trades workers in British Columbia, and across Canada. That’s why we’re working with employers to create tens of thousands of new apprenticeships. It’s why we’re doubling incentives for employers who hire women, persons with disabilities, and other traditionally marginalized groups—to make sure that everyone who wants to pursue a skilled trade has the chance to,” said Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough.
The government currently estimates that 700,000 skilled trades workers are due to retire from the workforce by 2028.
To date, the Trudeau government has invested $278 million into 14 separate projects to help small and medium-sized businesses bridge this gap and hire new apprentices.
