Apply for funding for the Innovation in Apprenticeship Stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program (Canada)

Deadline: 1-Dec-22

The Government of Canada has announced the applications for Innovation in Apprenticeship Stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program that aims to support innovative approaches and strengthen partnerships to address apprenticeship challenges in the Red Seal trades.

This new framework aims to encourage Canadians to explore, prepare for, participate and succeed in apprenticeships and careers in the skilled trades. It supports Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) apprenticeship initiatives and programs and helps addressing ongoing challenges across apprenticeship systems. The Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) falls under this new framework.

Objectives

They will fund projects that:
- Use innovative approaches or expand best practices to address challenges limiting apprenticeship outcomes in Red Seal trades
- Involve broad-based partnerships between organizations across sectors, regions or trades
Some examples of challenges are:
- Insufficient resources and support for success in an apprenticeship
- Absence of suitable mentors and role models
- Language barriers for newcomers to Canada
- Employers and co-workers may not understand the unique cultural differences of Indigenous people
- Cultural stereotypes about gender norms
- Harassment and discrimination
- Family obligations and lack of access to flexible or suitable child care for trades occupations
- Employer misconceptions regarding persons with disabilities on issues such as safety and productivity.

Funding Information

Eligible organizations can apply for up to $5,000,000 for a project that is up to 60 months in duration.

Eligible Projects

Your project must meet all of the following criteria:
- Involve a broad-based partnership between organizations across sectors, regions or trades
- Solely target Red Seal trades that are designated under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program in the province(s) or territory(ies) in which proposed activities will be undertaken
Have contributions from sources other than Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC):
- Cash contributions equal or more than 10% of your total project costs, including the amount contributed by ESDC
- In-kind contributions are acceptable in lieu of cash contribution if you can demonstrate that you face any of these challenges:
  - Remote location
  - Limited access to infrastructure
  - Limited partnership opportunities.

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Developing, testing, evaluating and promoting innovative approaches
- expanding, replicating or both, and evaluating best practices to support individuals to prepare for, progress in or certify in an apprenticeship in the Red Seal trades

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants

Your organization must be located in Canada and be 1 of the following types:
- Union representing workers in Red Seal trades or an organization managing training funds for Red Seal trades workers, for example:
  - A joint training fund set up by a union
  - A union and an employer association
  - Not-for-profit organization
  - For-profit organization (provided that the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives)
  - Municipal government
- Indigenous organization including:
  - Band council
  - Tribal council
  - Self-government entity
- Provincial and territorial government including:
  - Agency
  - Institution
  - Crown Corporation.