Canadian Apprentice Service (CAS)

What is the Canadian Apprentice Service (CAS)?

The Canadian Apprenticeship Service (CAS) is a new Federal initiative where Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with 499 or less employees may be eligible to receive funding for hiring new, first-year apprentices in eligible Red Seal trades in the construction and industrial/manufacturing sectors. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency is administering the program for the four Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).

CAS will enable further consistency in the apprenticeship systems across the Atlantic Region building on the rapid growth of the skilled trades sector. Additional supports will also be developed and provided to participating employers to create safe, healthy, and inclusive workplaces. 

What is the Financial Incentive for Employers on PEI?

A financial incentive in the amount of $5,000 will be provided to eligible employers when they hire new first-year apprentices in one of PEI's 19 eligible trades.

The incentive is a one-time payment per new first-year apprentice. Upon completion of an approved apprenticeship application, PEI Apprenticeship will contact employers who are eligible to receive the financial incentive and provide them with more information.

An additional $5,000 will be issued if the apprentice voluntarily attests to being from at least one of the following equity-deserving groups. The apprentice is encouraged to identify all that are applicable:

• Women,
• Indigenous peoples,
• Newcomers,
• Persons with disabilities,
• Visible minorities, and
• 2SLGBTQ+

The employer may be eligible to receive financial incentives for hiring a maximum of two new first-year apprentices per fiscal year, to a maximum financial incentive of $20,000.

Which trades are eligible on PEI?

How do I find out more information about CAS or registering new apprentices?

For questions, please email jdburke@gov.pe.ca