The Minister of Employment and Social Development recently visited the Canadian Welding Bureau in Milton, ON. Minister Jason Kenney gave an overview of the apprenticeship support offered by the Government of Canada. Kenney highlighted the new Canada Apprentice Loan, an Economic Action Plan 2014 commitment that provides apprentices in Red Seal trades access to interest-free loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training.
Welding is an essential component of many industries, such as the construction and automotive industries, and we need qualified welders to help grow our economy, Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development. Thats why were making it a priority to support apprentices in Canada with initiatives like the Canada Apprentice Loan, which will help more apprentices complete their training and encourage more Canadians to pursue a career in the skilled trades.
During his tour of the CWB, Minister Kenney joined apprentices, welding professionals and administrators in underscoring the importance of enhanced support for apprentices, which will help ensure that more Canadians obtain the skills and training needed to fill jobs that will power and grow the Canadian economy.
The CWB Group, as Canadas only nationally mandated welding organization, supports any program that helps create a pool of well qualified, job-ready domestic welders, explains Doug Luciani, President and CEO of the CWB Group. We cannot forget that trades are the people who have built, and continue to build, this country. With the average age of a welder now 56, initiatives like the Canada Apprenticeship Loan program are urgently required to ensure that young Canadians get the training, equipment and support they need to successfully enter industry.
In addition to the Canada Apprentice Loan, Minister Kenney mentioned other supports, such as tax credits and grants. The Government of Canada provides apprenticeship grants and tax credits to both apprentices and employers to encourage careers in the skilled trades.
To date, the Government has issued over 500,000 apprenticeship grants to Canadians.
Our Governments top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Jobs in the skilled trades are in demand in many sectors and regions across the country, say Kenney, who also discussed the pressing demand for skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen, particularly in areas such as infrastructure.
