Union Training and Innovation Program – Call for Proposals

The Federal Government has announced they are investing $40 million over three years in the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) and have launched two calls for proposals opening July 3,2020 with the deadline for submissions of August 28, 2020. The Program has two streams and is open to all unions, including those that do not provide training recognized by provinces and territories as technical apprenticeship training, and those that do not operate training facilities. Funding decisions are expected to be made by November 2020.

Stream 1: Investments in Training Equipment that helps unions purchase training equipment. Continuous technological change puts pressure on training providers to ensure workers are developing the right skills needed on the job site.

To apply and learn more click here.

Eligible Applicants

To receive funding, your organization must be one of the following types:

  • a union representing workers in Red Seal trades
  • an organization managing training funds for Red Seal trades workers (for example, a joint training fund set up by a union and an employer)

Note that organizations in the province of Québec cannot apply for this funding. The Government of Canada has partnered with the Government of Québec (en français seulement). Together they have implemented a program that accounts for the unique features of Québec’s apprenticeship system.

Eligible Projects

To be eligible for funding, your project must meet all of the following criteria:

  • target training for Red Seal trades
  • run for 36 months
  • request no more than $10,000,000 per project
  • have a cash contribution equal to or more than 50% of your total project costs from a source other than us,
    • 30% cash contribution is acceptable if you can demonstrate that you face any of these challenges:
      • you are in a remote location
      • you lack infrastructure, or
      • you have limited partnership opportunities
  • purchase training equipment and/or materials for Red Seal trades to meet industry standards or investments in new technology.

Stream 2: Innovation in Apprenticeship that supports innovation and broad-based partnerships to address challenges that limit apprenticeship outcomes in Canada. This stream is open to a range of stakeholders and partners, with unions needing to be involved, either as the lead or as a partner on projects.

To apply and learn more click here.

Eligible Applicants

To receive funding, your organization must be one of the following types:

  • a union representing workers in Red Seal trades
  • a not-for-profit organization (an organization that does not make money for itself)
  • a for-profit organization (an organization that can make money for itself but does not make money with the project)
  • an indigenous organization including:
    • band councils
    • tribal councils
    • self-governing organization
  • an educational organization (an organization that is in the teaching business)
  • a municipal government
  • a provincial and territorial government, including agencies and Crown Corporations

If your organization is not a union representing workers in Red Seal trades, you must involve at least one. It must be a lead or a partner in the project. Without it, your project will not be eligible.

Note that organizations in the province of Québec cannot apply for this funding. The Government of Canada has partnered with the Government of Québec (en français seulement). Together they have implemented a program that accounts for the unique features of Québec’s apprenticeship system.

Eligible Projects

To be eligible for funding, your project must meet all of the following criteria:

  • target training for Red Seal trades
  • be no longer than 60 months
  • request no more than $10,000,000 per project
  • have a cash contribution equal or more than 10% of your total project costs from a source other than us
    • in-kind contributions are acceptable if you can demonstrate that you face any of these challenges:
      • you are in a remote location
      • you lack infrastructure
      • you have limited partnership opportunities
  • involve a broad-based partnership
  • use an innovative approach and/or best practices

For more information on the Government’s announcement including detailed information on UTIP please visit the Government of Canada website here.

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