This release was issued under a previous government.
A total of $1.5 million will be made available to assist as many as 1,500 eligible apprentices during the 2016-17 academic year. Eligible apprentices will receive $1,000 to help reduce financial barriers and support them to progress towards their journeyperson certification.
“Supporting apprentices at every step of their technical training is critical for their success and for our economy recovery. This new Apprentice Training Award is part of our government’s commitment to ensure Albertans are future ready, so they can move from a good education to good jobs in a changing economy.”
“I was affected by the economic downturn and lost my job. This award will mean a lot to apprentices in Alberta who are just like me. This award will help me be in a stronger position financially, to obtain my journeyman ticket and find better employment in the future.”
“Skilled trades play a critical role in Alberta. This assistance will help to ensure our province has the highly educated and skilled workforce available and ready when the economy recovers.”
“The Apprentice Training Award is good news for our apprentices and economy. It’s important we work together to encourage unemployed apprentices to continue training and become the skilled trades professionals we will need tomorrow for Alberta’s economic success.”
To receive the award, eligible apprentices must not be working in their trade and must have successfully completed their first period of technical training. They must also be registered for technical training at a post-secondary institution or other training partner. Apprentices who meet the criteria will be identified and contacted by government. The award will be distributed to eligible apprentices starting in January 2017.
The Apprentice Training Award is one of many initiatives under the Alberta government’s Future Ready vision, helping to prepare Albertans for success by taking a co-ordinated and integrated approach to education and training.