Newfoundland and Labrador: Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy (AWS)
If you run a business in Newfoundland and Labrador and hire an apprentice, the province pays back 75% of the apprentice's wage, up to $14 an hour. Apply at least 30 days before the start date and do not fill the job before approval. You can apply anytime.
Before you spend any money
Submit your application at least 30 days before the apprentice's start date, and do not fill the position before approval. If you are new to LaMPSS, allow 7 to 10 business days for registration first.
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 incorporated business or sole proprietorship registered in Newfoundland and Labrador, in good standing, with an office or operation in the province.
- You have a qualified journeyperson on site and can sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the department.
- You are hiring an apprentice who is registered, or can register, with the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division.
Probably not the right fit if
- Your business is not registered in Newfoundland and Labrador or has no operation there.
- The apprentice would replace an existing employee or fill a job left open by a labour dispute.
- The apprentice starts in less than 30 days, or you have already filled the job.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $14 an hour: up to $9,800 for a first-year level (700 hours) and up to $21,840 for a second-, third- or fourth-year level (1,560 hours), for two levels per apprentice.
What may be supported
- Hiring a first-year apprentice.
- Hiring a second-, third- or fourth-year apprentice.
- Hiring one apprentice for both the first and second year in a single application.
What's excluded or restricted
- Hours already completed toward a level are not funded again; the subsidy covers only the balance needed to reach the next level.
- An apprentice can be funded for two of the four levels only.
- The position cannot replace or push out an existing employee, fill a job left open by a strike or labour dispute, or come from cutting other staff hours.
- The position cannot be filled before approval, unless the province agrees.
- Wages paid to an immediate family member are not covered unless the province is satisfied the hire was not favoritism.
How applying works
Effort: moderateRegister once in LaMPSS (7 to 10 business days), sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the department, and apply online with a job description. After approval, send Activity and Financial reports with payroll documents to get paid.
- 01Read the AWS Program Guidelines on the official page.
- 02If you are new, register your business in LaMPSS and wait 7 to 10 business days for your login.
- 03Make sure you have a signed Memorandum of Understanding with the department confirming a qualified journeyperson on site.
- 04Apply in LaMPSS at least 30 days before the apprentice's start date, with a job description attached. One apprentice per application.
- 05After approval, hire the apprentice and pay wages as normal.
- 06Send Activity and Financial reports with payroll documents through LaMPSS to be paid back.
Who to ask: Employment and Training Programs Division: EmploymentPrograms@gov.nl.ca, 1-800-563-6600. LaMPSS login help: extorghelp@gov.nl.ca, 1-844-252-6777.
Documents commonly required
- Signed Memorandum of Understanding with the department confirming a qualified journeyperson on site.
- Job description for the position, including any education or qualifications required.
- Payroll documents for the apprentice, sent with each Financial Report.
What to know before you count on it
- You pay the wages first. The province pays you back after you send Activity and Financial reports with payroll documents in LaMPSS.
- The subsidy stops at $14 an hour. If the apprentice earns more than about $18.67 an hour, you pay the rest.
- Each apprentice can be funded for two of their four levels only.
- If the apprentice already has hours toward a level, only the remaining hours are funded.
- You must report other funding for the same hire, and the province may reduce its share. Funding also depends on the provincial budget each year.
What are your odds?
It is based on meeting the rules, not a competition. The department says priority may be given to certain occupations and sectors.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the money before I pay the apprentice?
No. You pay the apprentice first. Then you send Activity and Financial reports with payroll documents through LaMPSS to be paid back.
How much can I claim per hour?
75% of the apprentice's hourly wage, up to $14 an hour. If the apprentice earns $20 an hour, 75% is $15, so you get $14 an hour.
Can the apprentice replace someone on my staff?
No. The position cannot replace an existing employee, fill a job left open by a labour dispute, or come from cutting other staff hours. It also cannot be filled before approval.
What if I cannot apply online?
Call 1-800-563-6600 or email EmploymentPrograms@gov.nl.ca. For LaMPSS password problems, email extorghelp@gov.nl.ca or call 1-844-252-6777.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
You must tell the province about any other funding for the same hire, such as JobsNL. The province may then lower its contribution or ask for money back.
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.