Workers in these Canadian trades can apply for a $5,000 bonus next month

Starting Nov. 16, tradespeople who completed an apprenticeship and earned certification in a Red Seal trade on or after April 1, 2025, can apply for a one-time $5,000 bonus. The Red Seal Completion Bonus is part of the federal government’s $8-billion Team Canada Strong investment. The initiative aims to recruit, train and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers over the next five years. The bonus rewards apprentices who earn certification as the government seeks to speed up the process.

Canada has 300 in-demand designated trades, 54 of which are Red Seal trades. They include hairstylists, cooks, bakers, plumbers, machinists, carpenters, industrial electricians, welders and heavy equipment operators. The Red Seal Program is a standard for assessing tradespeople’s skills across Canada. Because the certificate is considered a national standard, it makes it easier for workers to practise their trade across the country. Applicants for certification must meet the required experience and pass the Red Seal Exam for Red Seal Trades.

Applicants for the $5,000 bonus must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons, and must not currently be attending high school. They will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Permanent residents whose SIN begins with 9, and protected persons, must also provide proof of status in Canada. Other required information includes a mailing address; banking information for direct deposit; the Red Seal trade name and certification date; the province or territory where certification was earned; and an apprentice identification number. An email address is optional but recommended. Supporting documents must be submitted within 28 calendar days of starting an application; otherwise, applicants must submit a new one.

Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, said Red Seal trades offer “good jobs,” but there are not enough certified workers to fill them. She said earning a Red Seal takes time and hard work, and the government wants more apprentices to complete the process. The completion bonus, she said, recognizes young people’s efforts and helps them get ahead as they begin their careers.

In addition to the bonus, the government will provide apprentices with up to $400 per week while they attend mandatory in-class technical training, for a total of up to $16,000 per apprentice. More information is available on the Government of Canada’s [skilled trades webpage](https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/campaigns/skilled-trades.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_skilledtrades).