Financial Supports for Apprentices

 

Provincial and Federal Apprenticeship Training Supports for  Registered Apprentices

Apprenticeship Training Supports for Apprentices

Apprentices are eligible for Canada Student Loans and temporary financial support for each level of technical training attended and a number of Federal grants and Provincial tax credits when each level of technical training is completed.

WorkBC Employment Services Canada

Apprentices are eligible for temporary Financial Supports while attending the classroom portion of your apprenticeship funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

The Employment Program of British Columbia (EPBC) provides employment services and supports to Apprentices and delivers it through WorkBC Employment Services Canada.

Part I:  Employment Insurance (EI) benefits are income replacement provided through Service Canada.

Part II:  WorkBC Apprentice Services Financial Supports managed by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, to assist with your expenses while you attend in-school training and may cover:  basic expenses for living away from home, dependent care, daily commuting, travel costs, and living away from home.

 

How to Apply:

  1. First, apply for WorkBC Apprentice Services Financial Supports which is required to determine eligibility and part of the approval process to collect Employment Insurance while attending apprenticeship technical training
  2. Then apply for Employment Insurance using the EI reference code provided and await the decision regarding financial supports.

You must start the application process 4 weeks PRIOR to your school start date, but no later than your first day of class – if late please contact WorkBC to have your eligibility assessed.

  1. To begin your online application visit WorkBC Apprentice Services online Portal.
  2. When prompted, use your BCeID to login and start your application. (If you don’t have a BCeID, you can register for one by following the links provided in the online application.)
  3. You will receive an email notification 2-3 days after your application regarding your EI Reference Code. (Once you have received the email, login back into WorkBCApprentice Services with your BCeID to retrieve your 16 Digit EI Reference Code.
  4. You can now apply for EI through Service Canada as soon as you stop working or your last week of work.

Once you have begun your training course, the WorkBC Apprentice Services Contractor will confirm with the training institution that you are in attendance. Once this has been confirmed, you will receive a notification that your application is being processed.

Important Information:

To complete your application for your 16 Digit EI Code, you will need your Apprentice Registration ID number, social insurance number, a void cheque/banking information, a BCeID, name of the training institute, and the start and end date of your class.

If you lose your 16 digit EI reference code then log back into the online portal with your BCeID login information and retrieve your reference code.

Who to Contact:

Any questions and/or concerns regarding EPBC Apprentice Program Financial Supports (i.e. Part II Financial Supports) should be directed to Service BC at 1-844-428-4730 and they will direct you to the WorkBC Employment Service Centre in your area.

Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits

Employment Insurance (EI) benefits are income replacements provided through Service Canada while attending technical training.

You must apply separately for Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits in your last week of work, or in the first week of training to be eligible to receive WorkBC Apprentice Services Financial Supports.

How to Apply:

  1.  You must have your 16 digit reference code from Apprentice Training Supports on hand.
  2. You cannot apply for EI more than 7 days before the start date of your apprentice training
  3. Submit your ROE as soon as possible.
  4. Apply for employment insurance EI by visiting the Service Canada website and click on the ‘apply for employment insurance’ link.

Important Information:

  1. Online WorkBC Apprentice Services provides the 16-digit Reference Code you need when you apply for EI as an apprentice, this will give you permission to attend school while on EI.
  2. Delay in filing an EI claim beyond 4 weeks after the last day of work may cause denial of benefits.
  3. If you lose your 16 digit EI reference code then log back in to the online portal with your BCeID login information and retrieve your reference code.
  4. You must only use the EI Reference Code generated by your application. These codes are time limited and location specific; so you must only use the one that was generated for you otherwise your EI claim may not be successful.
  5.  If you already have an Active EI Claim then do not reapply for EI benefits. If you currently have an active EI claim and will be submitting EI claimant reports to Service Canada in the 2 weeks prior to attending school, you have a Continuing Claim. On your claimant report, you must indicate that you are attending Apprenticeship Training. To ensure there is no interruption in your EI benefits, you must immediately contact Service Canada and provide your 16 digit Apprentice EI Reference code and apprentice training start and end dates.

Who to Contact:

Additional information, Any questions and/or concerns regarding EI benefits (i.e. Part I Financial Supports) should be directed to Service Canada

 

Canada Apprentice Loan

The Canada Apprentice Loan offers interest-free loans to help registered Apprentices in a Red Seal trade with the cost of their training. Apprentices can apply for interest-free loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training.

You will not have to make payments on your Canada Apprentice Loan, and no interest will accumulate until after you complete or leave your apprenticeship training program.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible, you must meet all of these criteria:

The online application is easy to complete and is assessed once you click submit. With an online account, you can also view your application and loan status online and make changes to your account profile.

APPLY ONLINE:  Apprentice Loan website

Application Deadlines:

  • The earliest you can apply for a Canada Apprentice Loan is 3 months before your technical training starts.
  • The latest you can apply for a Canada Apprentice Loan is the last day of your technical training.

You can also download the Canada Apprentice Loan application and Agreement and mail it.  You must mail your completed application and all supporting documentation by the last day of your technical training.

Canada Apprentice Loan Interest Suspension UpdateEffective April 2021, the Government of Canada has suspended the accumulation of interest on Canada Apprentice Loans until March 31, 2023.

 

Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and Completion Grants

Apprentices can apply through the Government of Canada for Apprenticeship Incentive and Completion Grants.

Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)  is a one-time taxable cash grant of $1,000 upon completion of Levels 1 and 2, for a lifetime maximum amount of $2,000 per person.

WHO QUALIFIES HOW TO APPLY

Apprentices registered in a Red Seal program who have successfully met the technical training and work-based training requirements as follows:

  • Completion of Level 1        1680 work-based hours
  • Completion of Level 2      3360 work-based hours

Please see the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) page on the Service Canada website for details

 

1. Submit your online application on the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant page on the Service Canada website.
2. Include a copy of your Letter of Progression in your Service Canada online application

* SkilledTradesBC will email you a copy of your Letter of Progression once you have met the technical training and work-based training requirements for the (Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG).

If you have any questions about your application, please contact Service Canada directly.

Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W)

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) is a one-time taxable cash grant of $3,000 upon completion of Levels 1 and 2, for a lifetime maximum amount of $6,000 per person.

WHO QUALIFIES HOW TO APPLY

Apprentices registered in a Red Seal program who have successfully met the technical training and work-based training requirements as follows:

  • Completion of Level 1        1680 work-based hours
  • Completion of Level 2      3360 work-based hours

Please see the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) page on the Service Canada website for details 

1. Submit your online application on the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women on the Service Canada website.
2. Include a copy of your Letter of Progression in your Service Canada online application.

* SkilledTradesBC will email you a copy of your Letter of Progression once you have met the technical training and work-based training requirements for the (Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG).

If you have any questions about your application, please contact Service Canada directly.

Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)

The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a one-time taxable cash grant lifetime amount of $2,000 upon completion of the apprenticeship program and obtaining journeyperson certification in a Red Seal program.

WHO QUALIFIES HOW TO APPLY

Apprentices registered in a Red Seal program who have successfully completed apprenticeship training and received Certification.

Upon Certification

6,721 Work-Based Hours

 

Please see the Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) page on the Service Canada website for eligibility details

  1. Submit your online application on the Apprenticeship Completion Grant page on the Service Canada website.
  2. Include a copy of your Certificate of Qualification in your Service Canada online application
* SkilledTradesBC will email you a reminder notice when you qualify for the Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)

If you have any questions about your application, please contact Service Canada directly.

 

You do not need to have your supporting documents to apply. You can apply and then submit your supporting documents within 28 calendar days.

Deadline to Apply:

If you progressed or completed between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020, your deadline to submit an application is: 18 months following your date of progression.

If you progressed or completed on or after January 1, 2021, your deadline to submit an application is: 12 months following your date of progression.

 

BC Training Tax Credits for Apprentices  

BC Provincial training tax credits provide refundable income tax credits to help reduce training costs for Apprentices enrolled in programs administered through the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Completion Tax Credits

Powerline Technician Apprentices can claim Completion Training Tax Credits for Level 3 and Level 4 of their Apprenticeship training.

Enhanced Tax Credit

An Enhanced Tax Credit is available if you’re a First Nations individual or a person registered as Indian under the Indian Act (Canada).

Training Tax Credits
Powerline Technician Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Graduate Level 4
Completion Credit N/A N/A $2,000 $2,500
Enhanced Credit $500 $500 $3,000 $3,750

Claiming the Credit:

You can claim the training tax credit in the year the level is completed, regardless of which year the level was started. If you complete the requirements of more than one tax credit level during a taxation year, you can claim more than one tax credit.

Claim the training tax credit by completing British Columbia Training Tax Credit (T1014) form and submitting it with your T1 Income Tax Return.

Required Documentation:

  • A copy of your transcript from the ITA
  • A copy of the certificate you received from the ITA if you’re required to have graduated the program to be eligible for the tax credit

If you’re claiming an Enhanced Tax Credit as a First Nations individual, you may be required to provide a copy of your Certificate of Indian Status card.

TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR APPRENTICES

Trades Persons Tools Deduction

If you bought tools for work this year, you might be able to claim the tradesperson’s tools deduction of up to $500. You will need your employer to certify the tools were bought by you, for you to be used directly in your work to claim the deduction. You may also be able to get a rebate on the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) you paid.

Use the following formula to calculate your maximum tradesperson’s tools deduction for the cost of eligible tools you bought in 2020:

Full deduction for eligible tools is the lesser of:

a) $500

b) the amount, if any, determined by the formula

A − $1,245 where

A = the lesser of:

the total cost of eligible tools that you bought in 2020; and

your income from employment as a tradesperson for the year

plus the amount you received in 2020 under the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant programs;

minus the amount of any Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and Apprenticeship Completion Grant overpayments that you had to repay in 2020.

Completing your Tax Return:

Enter your claim on the Tradesperson’s tools expenses line (1770) of Form T777, Statement of Employment Expenses.

Annual Union Professional Dues

Did you know you can deduct the amount paid (or that was paid for you and reported as income) in the year on your tax return, including any GST/HST you paid as part of your dues?

Completing your Tax return:

Claim online (21200) the amount shown in box 44 of your T4 slips or the amount shown on your receipts.

Find out more  on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website.

Powering BC Through Excellence in Training

The Joint Line Apprenticeship Training Association has the managerial oversight for the program to assure Apprentices in the Powerline Technician Apprenticeship Program are provided the best training and learning experience within the trade.