Apprenticeship Program

Apprenticeship training combines on-the-job training with classroom training and results in a professional certification in a designated skilled trade. A summary of the training is detailed below and for more information visit: Apprenticeship Training

What is the Apprenticeship Program?

You may want to register in the Apprenticeship Program if you are working toward professional certification in a designated skilled trade. The program combines on-the-job training with a qualified tradesperson (80 percent) and classroom training at a training establishment (20 percent).

Am I eligible to apply for the Apprenticeship Program?

 You are eligible to apply if you:

• Have reached the age of 18 within the calendar year of registering as an apprentice - excluding individuals registered as a youth apprentice or requesting entry as a mature student;
• Have a high school completion certificate or equivalent such as a GED; and
• Are working at a designated skilled trade with a suitable employer.

How do I apply for the Apprenticeship program?

1.    Ensure all three sections are completed on the Apprenticeship Application and Agreement.

The three sections of the form are:

1. Apprenticeship Application – you must complete this section;
2. Employer Application – your employer must complete this section; and
3. Apprenticeship Training Agreement – both you and your employer must sign this section. If you are under age 18, your parent or guardian must also sign this section. All signatures must be witnessed.

If you want to see if you are eligible to get credit for high school trade courses, submit a copy of your high school transcript. To get credit for post secondary courses that may be eligible, submit a copy of your graduation certificate from your post secondary institution.

Send your completed application form and any related documents to the address on the form.

Are there any apprenticeship grants available to registered apprentices?

Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) - Level 1 and Level 2

A $1000 federal grant available to registered apprentices when they complete level 1 and another $1000 grant when they complete level 2. 

• On PEI, to be eligible for the 1st year grant an apprentice must have 1800 hours in their log book and have passed the block 1 exam.  At least 450 of these must be actual trade time.
• On PEI, to be eligible for the 2nd year grant an apprentice must have 3600 hours in their log book and have passed the block 2 exam.

Visit the Government of Canada page on Apprenticeship Grants for more information.

Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)

A $2000 federal grant that is available to apprentices who complete apprenticeship and successfully write the Red Seal exam.

Visit the Government of Canada page on Apprenticeship Grants for more information.

Are there any loans available to help apprentices while in block release training?

The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government of Canada to help you complete your apprenticeship in a designated Red Seal trade. 

Starting in January 2015, you can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training. The money will be available to you to help pay for tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses, to cover forgone wages or to help support your family.

Visit the Government of Canada page on the Canada Apprentice Loan (CAL) [external link] for more information.

Where do I go for apprenticeship in-school training?

Most in-school training can be done on PEI and is delivered on behalf of Apprenticeship by Holland College. In some trades, in-school training is done in an off-Island post-secondary school. There are typically three to four levels of training that will need to be completed.  The number of week of training vary from trade to trade.

What certification will I receive through apprenticeship training?

When you successfully complete the program, you are considered a certified journeypersons of a trade. You will be awarded a Certificate of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification with a Red Seal Endorsement. If your trade is not designated as Red Seal you will be awarded a Certificate of Apprenticeship and a provincial Certificate of Qualification.

What will I need to do to complete my apprenticeship and gain certification?

You will need to:

• Record the required number of hours for your trade in your logbook. You will also be given credit for in-school training, also known as Block Release Training.  In-school training credit can be received, up to a maximum of 33 per cent of the total time required to complete your apprenticeship.
• Collect all required signatures.
• A journeyperson must initial all the skills in your logbook.
• Each skill must be signed off at the level of “Performed to Industry Standard”.
• Pass all necessary progress exams with a mark of 70 per cent or higher.
• Write the Red Seal exam and receive a passing mark of 70 per cent or higher.

Can I change employers during my apprenticeship?

Yes. You must notify your Apprenticeship Training Officer that you are changing your employer and have them send you a Transfer of Apprenticeship Agreement form to be signed by your new employer.

Will another province recognize my apprenticeship training?

If you move to another province, you should confirm the apprenticeship policies and regulations in that province ahead of time.

Can I become certified in a designated trade if apprenticeship training is not offered in PEI? 

• You must first obtain a certain number of hours of industry experience in that trade.
• When you complete the required hours, you can apply to challenge the certification exam in your trade.
• If your application is approved, you will be given a chance to challenge a certification exam.

Who can I contact to find out more about the Apprenticeship program?

Apprenticeship Training Officer
Atlantic Technology Centre, Charlottetown

Telephone: (902) 368-4464
Fax: (902) 368-6144
Email:  dvrodd@gov.pe.ca  

Apprenticeship Training Officer
Atlantic Technology Centre, Charlottetown

Telephone: (902) 368-4625
Fax: (902) 368-6144
Email:  cmaye@gov.pe.ca

Apprenticeship Training Officer
Access PEI Summerside

Telephone: (902) 888-8034
Fax: (902) 438-4096
Email:  tylerdoucette@gov.pe.ca