Manitoba ups incentives for employers to hire apprentices

Mobile training labs to reach rural communities

Manitoba will boost tax incentives for employers that hire apprentices and provide on-the-job training, according to Premier Greg Selinger, while a new Rural and Northern Apprenticeship Training Strategy will make it easier to become an apprentice.

"We all know that training more skilled workers for well-paying jobs is good for Manitoba families and good for our economy," said Selinger. "That's why, in Budget 2012, we're creating opportunities for Manitobans to train and improve their skills, regardless of where they live. And we're helping more businesses hire apprentices."

The Early-level Apprentice Hiring Incentive (currently 10 per cent of wages and salaries up to a maximum $2,000 per year per apprentice) will be enhanced to 15 per cent of wages and salaries up to a maximum of $3,000. This component of the program will also be expanded to cover employers eligible for the federal Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit, that receive a top-up to be treated consistently with other Manitoba tax credit recipients.

The Advanced-level Apprentice Hiring Incentive (currently five per cent of wages and salaries up to a maximum of $2,500 per level per employee) will be doubled to 10 per cent of wages and salaries up to a maximum of $5,000.

The Journeypersons Hiring Incentive (currently five per cent of wages and salaries up to a maximum of $2,500 per year per employee) will also be doubled to 10 per cent of wages and salaries up to a maximum of $5,000.

The new Rural and Northern Apprenticeship Training Strategy will consist of:
•a new Journeyperson Business Start program to help rural journeypeople start their own businesses
•a new Skill Build program to upgrade and equip high-school shop classrooms for apprenticeship training
•further development of online initiatives accessing services such as applications, course registration and payment, and an additional trades training courses to be delivered through online learning
•an investment of $400,000 in mobile training labs in partnership with Red River College, allowing trades learning to reach more rural and northern communities
•up to an additional $1,000 apprentice hiring incentive for levels one and two apprentices, effectively doubling incentives for rural employers.

"Over the last several years, we've worked hard to expand Manitoba's pool of skilled labour to meet the needs of our economy. We've expanded trades training facilities in Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin, Thompson, the Pas and 12 other northern centres," said Selinger. "Today we're taking new steps to ensure that all Manitobans can learn trades, get good jobs and start their own businesses."

Latest stories