Canada launches $8 billion Team Canada Strong trades plan

Employment and Social Development Canada has announced Team Canada Strong, a new $8 billion skilled trades initiative to recruit, train, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 Red Seal workers by 2030-2031.

• The plan includes a $2 billion federal investment for provincial and territorial workforce development, plus $880 million over five years for youth placements and up to $10,000 incentives for employers hiring first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades.
• The package also includes digitization of the Red Seal Program, a single national apprenticeship number, expanded Union Training and Innovation Program support, $400 weekly top-ups, and a $5,000 Red Seal Completion Bonus for eligible apprentices.