Ontario: Achievement Incentive Program
An Ontario grant for employers who sponsor apprentices. It pays up to $17,000 in milestone payments as an apprentice registers, completes levels of in-class training, and gets certified. The Ministry notifies you when a milestone is reached, and you apply through a one-time secure online link. You can apply anytime.
Before you spend any money
Payments come after each milestone, not before. The Ministry notifies eligible employers when an apprentice completes a level of in-class training or gets certified, and sends a secure link to apply. Watch for this notice so you do not miss it.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You are an Ontario employer or group sponsor with an apprentice registered with Skilled Trades Ontario.
- Your apprentice is completing levels of in-class training or is close to getting a Certificate of Apprenticeship or Certificate of Qualification.
- Your apprentice is under 25 or self-identifies as part of an under-represented group. Extra payments apply.
Probably not the right fit if
- You do not sponsor an apprentice registered with Skilled Trades Ontario.
- You want money for general business costs, equipment, or projects not linked to training an apprentice.
- You need the money before the training happens. Payments come after each milestone is reached.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $17,000 in total, paid in $1,000 steps. There is a registration payment for new apprentices under 25 or from an under-represented group (up to $2,000), a payment for each level of in-class training completed (up to $12,000 including extra payments), and a payment when the apprentice gets certified (up to $3,000 including extra payments). Extra payments apply to apprentices under 25 or from an under-represented group.
What may be supported
- Registering a new apprentice with Skilled Trades Ontario (payment for apprentices under 25 or who self-identify as part of an under-represented group).
- An apprentice completing a level of in-class training (up to 4 levels).
- An apprentice achieving the highest certification in the trade: a Certificate of Apprenticeship or a Certificate of Qualification.
How applying works
Effort: lowThe Ministry tracks your apprentice's milestones and contacts you. Your part is to keep the apprentice registered with Skilled Trades Ontario and complete the one-time online application each time you receive a link.
- 01Make sure your apprentice is registered with Skilled Trades Ontario.
- 02Wait for the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to notify you when your apprentice completes a level of in-class training or reaches the highest certification in the trade.
- 03Open the secure web link in the notice and complete the one-time online application.
- 04Repeat for each milestone. For questions, contact Employment Ontario.
Who to ask: Employment Ontario: 1-800-387-5656 (contact section of the Employment Ontario page on ontario.ca).
Documents commonly required
- Your apprentice's Skilled Trades Ontario registration details.
- The secure application link sent to you by the Ministry.
- Your business details for the online application.
What to know before you count on it
- The largest amounts are for apprentices under 25 or who self-identify as part of an under-represented group. Other apprentices earn less.
- The money comes in steps over the length of the apprenticeship. It does not come up front.
- Trades with fewer levels of in-class training have fewer milestone payments.
- Each payment needs its own one-time online application through the secure link the Ministry sends. If you do not get a link, contact Employment Ontario.
What are your odds?
This is not a competition. Eligible employers and group sponsors are notified when their apprentice reaches a milestone, then apply through the link.
Frequently asked questions
Who can get this grant?
Employers and group sponsors who train apprentices registered with Skilled Trades Ontario. The province pays when the apprentice reaches training and certification milestones.
How much can I get?
Up to $17,000. Each milestone payment is $1,000, with extra payments for apprentices under 25 or who self-identify as part of an under-represented group.
How do I apply?
You do not apply in advance. The Ministry notifies eligible employers when a milestone is reached and sends a secure link to a one-time online application.
Can I also claim a federal tax credit?
The Ontario page lists the federal Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit as extra support for employers: 10% of the apprentice's salary, up to $2,000 per year per apprentice, for the first 2 years in Red Seal trades. It is a tax credit, claimed on your tax return.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
The Ontario page also lists the federal Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit for employers. The page does not say how the two work together. Confirm with the Canada Revenue Agency or your accountant.
Related programs
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.