Ontario moves to boost the apprenticeship system
By PLANT STAFF
Industry Government Manufacturing apprenticeships Grants incentives labour manufacturing post secondary tax creditsStrategy includes employer incentives, post secondary promotion and reduced red tape.
TORONTO — Ontario is tuning up its apprenticeship system with a new strategy that will boost incentives for employers and attract more interest from students deciding on career choices.
The multi-year plan will provide improved incentives to employers by changing the current training tax credit into a graduated apprenticeship grant; stream more career information through Ontario’s labour market website; update the apprenticeship system with digital enhancements, including a simplified online registration process; develop recommendations on how to ensure students are aware of career opportunities in the skilled trades; and enhance services that support apprentice.
There were 25,000 active employer sponsors in 2016-17 and new annual apprenticeship registrations have grown from 17,100 in 2002-03 to 24,800 as of last year.
Approximately 9,800 Certificates of Apprenticeship have been issued annually over the past three years.
