Employment Insurance

Through the Employment Insurance (EI) system, the Government of Canada provides income support to eligible apprentices during periods of technical training. 

Although all efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of this information, apprentices should consult Service Canada, the official source of information about EI. See also Employment Insurance for Apprentices.

To be considered for EI benefits while attending technical training, apply at the website above as soon as you stop working. If you have applied for, or are receiving EI benefits prior to training, you must complete another application indicating your technical training information.

Apprentices can call 1-800-206-7218 (in Alberta) or visit the Service Canada website for the following resources:

• General EI information

The application for Employment Insurance will be accepted without the Record of Employment (ROE) however, your employee cannot be paid until the ROE is received and benefits are assessed. It is very important that your apprentice receive the ROE as soon as possible following the last day of work.

• Record of Employment Assistance

If the apprentice wishes to stop work prior to the Friday before the start date of apprenticeship technical training, the employer must indicate the correct reason for leaving as indicated on the Service Canada website.

Apprentices are only eligible to collect EI benefits for periods where they have not caused their own unemployment.

Apprentices who wish to have time off for personal reasons prior to training are viewed as having opted not to work and, therefore, have removed themselves from the labour force. These apprentices may not be eligible for benefits or may serve a waiting period prior to the course as they could have worked but chose not to.

Employer EI information is available through Service Canada.