Apply for Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Investments in Training Equipment Program

Deadline: 31-Dec-2026

The Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Investments in Training Equipment (CAS-ITE) provides funding to organizations across Canada, excluding Quebec, to purchase up-to-date trades training equipment and materials for pre-apprentices and apprentices in Red Seal trades. Funding of up to $5 million per project is available for projects lasting up to 36 months. Applicants generally must provide a cash contribution of at least 50% of eligible project costs, although the required contribution may be reduced to 30% for projects significantly affected by challenges such as remote locations, limited infrastructure, or limited partnership opportunities.

About the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Investments in Training Equipment

The Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Investments in Training Equipment program, also known as CAS-ITE, supports the acquisition of modern equipment and materials for trades training. The programme is designed to help training organizations provide equipment that: - Meets current industry standards. - Introduces new technology. - Supports effective technical training. - Prepares pre-apprentices and apprentices for Red Seal trades. The programme applies across Canada excluding Quebec. Purpose of CAS-ITE Funding The programme aims to strengthen trades training by helping eligible organizations obtain current equipment and materials. Funding can support training environments where existing equipment needs to be updated or where new technologies need to be introduced to keep training aligned with industry requirements. The programme focuses specifically on training pre-apprentices and apprentices in Red Seal trades. What Does the Program Support? CAS-ITE supports the purchase of up-to-date trades training equipment and materials. Supported equipment and materials should either: - Meet current industry standards, or - Introduce new technology into trades training. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed equipment or materials will enhance the training provided to pre-apprentices and apprentices. Who Can Apply? Eligible organizations include several types of organizations involved in Red Seal trades training.

These include:

- Unions representing workers in the Red Seal trades. - Organizations managing training trust funds for eligible unions. - Training providers offering technical training as part of recognized apprenticeship programs. Applicants should demonstrate that their organization and proposed training activities meet the programme’s eligibility requirements. Unions Representing Red Seal Trades Workers Unions representing workers in Red Seal trades can apply for CAS-ITE funding. The proposed project should demonstrate a need for updated training equipment or materials and explain how the investment will improve training for pre-apprentices and apprentices. Training Trust Fund Organizations Organizations that manage training trust funds for unions representing workers in Red Seal trades may also be eligible. These organizations should demonstrate the connection between the proposed equipment investment and the relevant trades training activities. Recognized Apprenticeship Training Providers Training providers offering technical training as part of recognized apprenticeship programmes can apply. The proposed equipment and materials should support technical training for apprentices and pre-apprentices in Red Seal trades. Demonstrating the Need for Equipment Applicants must demonstrate a clear need for the requested equipment or materials.

The proposal should explain:

- What equipment or materials are required. - Why the current equipment or materials are insufficient or need updating. - How the new investment will enhance trades training. - How the equipment will support pre-apprentices and apprentices. - How the equipment aligns with industry standards or introduces new technology. A clear explanation of the training need is an important part of the application. Cash Contribution Requirement Applicants are generally required to provide a cash contribution of at least 50% of the project cost. This means organizations must be prepared to contribute a substantial portion of project costs from their own eligible cash resources or other permitted sources. Reduced Contribution for Challenging Projects The required applicant contribution may be reduced to 30% where a project is significantly affected by particular challenges.

Examples of challenges include:

- Remote locations. - Limited infrastructure. - Limited partnership opportunities. Applicants seeking the reduced contribution should demonstrate how these circumstances significantly affect their ability to provide the standard contribution. How Much Funding Is Available?

CAS-ITE provides funding of up to:

$5,000,000 per project The final amount available for a project depends on the approved project scope, eligible costs, and applicable contribution requirements. Applicants should ensure that the requested funding is directly connected to the purchase of training equipment and materials. Project Duration Projects can have a maximum duration of 36 months. Applicants should develop a realistic project plan showing how equipment and materials will be acquired and incorporated into the relevant training activities within the approved project period. Where Is the Program Available? CAS-ITE supports eligible organizations across Canada, excluding Quebec. Organizations proposing projects outside Quebec should ensure that their activities and participating organization meet the programme’s requirements. Red Seal Trades Training The programme specifically supports training for Red Seal trades. The Red Seal focus means that proposed equipment and materials should be relevant to technical training for pre-apprentices and apprentices preparing for these trades. Applicants should clearly identify the relevant training activities and explain how the equipment investment will strengthen them. Applications Acc