Apprentice Services
Apprentice Training Award
This award will be under review starting August 1, 2024. Eligibility remains the same for classes ending before August 1. Stay tuned for updates.
The Apprentice Training Award helps unemployed apprentices offset the costs of classroom instruction and progress towards journeyperson certification.
Eligibility
To be considered for the Apprentice Training Award, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- be registered in the Alberta apprenticeship program for at least 30 consecutive days immediately prior to the start of classroom instruction,
- be registered in a class at an approved post-secondary institution,
- be "Unemployed in the Trade" for at least 30 consecutive days immediately prior to the start of classroom instruction, and
- not be a previous Apprentice Training Award recipient for the same training period.
Unemployed in the Trade means the apprentice does not currently have an Apprenticeship Education Agreement with a sponsor or employer but has had a past sponsor or employer and earned on-the-job hours as an apprentice in their trade. An individual is not eligible for the Apprentice Training Award if they have never had an Apprenticeship Education Agreement with a sponsor or employer.
For apprentices registered with the Boilermakers or Ironworkers Apprenticeship Administration Agency, “Unemployed in the Trade” is defined as being on the out-of-work list. Talk with an agency apprenticeship coordinator for more details.
Before you apply
1. Log into your MyTradesecrets account and ensure your contact information is up-to-date.
- You can check or edit your information on the Profile page.
2. Establish that you are “Unemployed in the Trade”.
- Take a clear photo of your Notice of Release and upload it to your MyTradesecrets account.
- Verify your Notice of Release has been processed by:
- logging onto your MyTradesecrets account, going to the Applications tab, and
- clicking 'Details' beside your apprenticeship application.
3. Register and attend classroom instruction.
You have until five (5) days after the end of classroom instruction to apply for the Apprentice Training Award.
*Note: Apprentices registered to the Boilermaker or Ironworker Apprenticeship Administration Agencies do not have to submit their Notice of Release. Unemployment will be confirmed by the apprentice’s agency.
How to apply
- AIT will notify you by email if you may be eligible on your first day of classroom instruction. A notice will also appear on the home page of your MyTradesecrets account.
- To apply, you must provide your consent, Social Insurance Number, and declare that you were “Unemployed in the Trade” for at least 30 consecutive days immediately prior to attending classroom instruction. You have up to five (5) days after the end of your class to provide your consent, Social Insurance Number and make a legal declaration.
- Once eligibility has been determined and verified, a cheque will be mailed to the address in your MyTradesecrets account.
Contact us with any questions