Apprentice Financial Supports

Transcription

1 Financial Supports FEBRUARY 2015 There are many financial supports available from the federal and provincial governments, once you are a registered BC apprentice. Industry Training Authority (ITA) can assist with this process if you have not already registered. Employment Insurance s registered with ITA may be eligible for temporary financial supports while they attend ITA approved training for their apprenticeship. Part I and Part II of the Employment Insurance Act define the terms of this support. Part I Financial Supports, Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, are typically income replacement and are provided through Service Canada. Any questions and/or concerns regarding EI benefits should be directed to Service Canada. Part II Financial Supports, also known as Employment Program of BC (EPBC) apprentice financial supports, are managed by BC s Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation and WorkBC. These supports could include basic expenses for living away from home, dependent care, daily commuting, etc. Any questions and/or concerns regarding EPBC apprentice financial supports should be directed to directed to WorkBC by phone at See next page for application process: Supports Online 01

2 Process for apprentices applying for EI and EPBC apprentice financial benefits: You may start the application process 4 weeks PRIOR to your school start date. You must apply by the first day of your course if late, please contact WorkBC to have your eligibility assessed. The following steps are very specific and must be done completely and in order. You will need your ITA number, Social Insurance Number, a void cheque or banking information, the start and end dates of your class. There are 2 separate but connected applications that need to be completed: WorkBC Supports Online AND Service Canada Employment Insurance. ITA registered apprentices requesting apprentice benefits will need to apply through the Supports Online. There may be some applicants who will need to contact WorkBC directly to be assessed for apprentice benefits. Apply on the Supports Online if: You are on a current EI claim, you are applying for EI, or you have been on EI in the past 3 years You are an apprentice with or without an employer or union sponsor You are unemployed and a pre-existing ITA-registered apprentice who has an employer sponsor, but you are without a return-to-work date 1. First, you must obtain a BCeID username and password. You must have this before you can register on the Supports Online: Go to : Click on: Job Seekers, Tools, Supports Online, Method One, read info Register for: START and click Create BCeID and continue Print/record: Basic BCeID Account Confirmation 2. As soon as you get your BCeID, you must complete the application on the Supports Online you will require your BCeID and password (there will be a command to redirect you to the Supports Online sign-in): Go to: Click: Tools Click: Supports Online Click: Start Sign in with your BCeID and begin application. Submit when finished. Print/ Confirmation page, which will include a 4-digit application number for future reference Wait: Up to 2 business days to receive an with a 16-digit reference code 3. Check your for the link to your 16-digit reference code you will need it to apply for EI 4. Apply for Employment Insurance (EI) no sooner than 7 days before the start date of your apprentice training. You will need to enter your 16-digit Supports Online reference code on the EI application, as there may be a delay in processing time if you do not supply the code in the initial application. Be sure to submit your Record of Employment (ROE) as soon as possible. 5. Apply online Service Canada 6. If you have any questions, please contact your local WorkBC Employment Service Centre Canada Loan The Canada Loan offers interest-free loans to help registered apprentices with the cost of their training. s registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship can apply for interest-free loans of up to $4,000 per period of technical training. Interest charges and repayment of the Canada Loan will not begin until after loan recipients complete or terminate their apprenticeship training program. For more information, visit and click on Canada Loan to apply through the Canada Loan online service. 02

3 Grants for Red Seal s As a Red Seal apprentice, you are eligible for an ship Incentive Grant (AIG) and an ship Completion Grant (ACG). The AIG is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 a year for the first 2 years of your training, up to a maximum of $2,000 per person. The ACG is a one-time taxable cash grant of $2,000 after you have been certified in your trade. ship Incentive Grant (AIG) ship Completion Grant (AGG) Who Qualifies? s registered in Red Seal trades who have successfully Certified Red Seal journeypersons. completed a level of technical training and a portion of work, based training hours. Please refer to the AIG Requirements for your trade at /grants-tax-credits/grants. ITA will send you a Letter of Progression when you have met the requirement for technical training and work-based training. How to Apply Use the information in your Letter of Progression ITA will send you a reminder notice to apply for your AIG from Service Canada. when you qualify for the ACG. To print a copy of this letter, log in to Direct Access, Contact Service Canada itadirectaccess.ca. If you do not have a Direct Access account, to apply for the ACG. call or Customer Service to set one up. After you ve applied, contact Service Canada directly After you ve applied, contact with questions or to track the status of your grant application. Service Canada directly with questions or to track the status. ticeship/incentivegrant/program.shtml Tax Credits for Provincial Non-Red Seal s Tax Credits Provincial training tax credits provide refundable income tax credits for apprentices registered in Industry Training Authority (ITA) Red Seal and Non-Red Seal apprenticeship programs. Enhanced tax credits are available for ITA-registered apprentices who are First Nations or who have disabilities. Tax credits for tool expenses are also available. For more information, please see the tax credit information on the BC government website, www2.gov.bc.ca. Other Wage Subsidy Work Experience Program, WorkBC or Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) Eligible job seekers may benefit from a short-term wage subsidy to assist with the initial work- based training investment (EI eligibility). Contact your local WorkBC Centre or ASETS. Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP), Assistance for unemployed Canadians to enter trades employment. STEP programs include Immigrants in Trades Training, Aboriginals in Trades Training and Women in Trades Training. For more information, go to Student Aid, BC Access Grant: and Canada Loan: 03

4 Employer Supports The provincial and federal governments provide income tax credits for employers of apprentices registered in Industry Training Authority (ITA) apprenticeship programs. For additional information, please see the tax credit information on the BC government website, www2.gov.bc.ca. ship Job Creation Tax Credit for Red Seal Programs Employers who hire apprentices registered in Red Seal programs are eligible to claim: 10% of wages up to a maximum of $2,000 per year for each apprentice, for the first 24 months of registration Completion of technical training or submission of work-based training hours by an apprentice is not required in order to claim this tax credit. For more information, visit the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website: BC Basic Tax Credit for Non-Red Seal Programs Employers who hire apprentices registered in non-red Seal programs are eligible to claim: 20% of wages up to a maximum of $4,000 per year for each apprentice, for the first 12 months of registration 20% of wages up to a maximum of $4,000 per year for each apprentice, for the second 12 months of registration Completion of technical training or submission of work-based training hours by an apprentice is not required in order to claim this tax credit. BC Completion Tax Credit Employers who hire apprentices are eligible to claim tax credits when (depending on the program) those apprentices complete level three or higher of the technical training, complete work-based training hours, or receive a certificate for their trade. Enhanced Tax Credit for Employers Employers of apprentices who are First Nations or who have disabilities may also be eligible for additional tax credits. Other Wage Subsidy Work Experience Program, Work BC Employment Program of BC or ASETS (Aboriginal Skills Employment Training Services): Eligible employers may benefit from a Short Term Wage Subsidy to assist in the initial work based training investment (EI Eligibility). Contact your local WorkBC Centre or ASETS. Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP), Assistance for unemployed Canadians to enter trades employment. STEP programs include Immigrants in Trades Training, Aboriginals in Trades Training and Women in Trades Training. For more information, go to Canada-B.C. Job Grant: The Canada-B.C. Job Grant will provide up to $15,000 per person for training costs, such as tuition and training materials (up to $10,000 from the federal government and $5,000 from employers). For details on how to apply for the Canada Job Grant, please visit: 04

5 Supports Skills Training Funding Tuition 1 See Notes A+C Aboriginal Skills Training Funding Tuition 1 (eligible Aboriginal applicants) ASETS agencies See Notes A+C Student Aid/Loans (over 12 weeks long), 2015 new Canada Loan Bursaries, Scholarships varied BC Access Grant Wage Subsidy (new hires) 1 WorkBC, ASETS agencies Other STEP See Note D EI and AOP: Financial Benefits for Training 2 ( Supports Online Portal) WorkBC and Service Canada (for EI-eligible clients) 2 Canada Loan 4 Training Tax Credits Non-Red Seal and Red Seal 3 Credit amount varies, please refer to CRA Incentive and Completion Grants, Red Seal Trades Service Canada ITA Website Resources: Direct Access Online ship Reporting Trade Profile Direct Entry ship Hired and registered by Sponsor without prior Foundation/apprentice training Foundation Trades Training (a.k.a: pre-apprentice) ** * Technical Training (Levels 1, 2, 3, 4) 2015 *** Foundation Trades Training, which includes level 1 and you have passed all aspects and have sponsor 1 Eligible Applicants Contact WorkBC or ASETS agency, Student Aid 2 EI eligible or reachback, registered with ITA and have ITA#, confirmed registration with ITA-designated trainer for apprentice technical training 3 Tax Credits vary, please refer to CRA for exact amounts and personal eligibility 4 Canada Loan Note A: Aboriginal resources: ASETS agencies, Victoria Foundation, Bands, bursaries, scholarships, STEP Note B: Bursaries may be available through individual training institutions Note C: ACE IT/SSA coordinated through School Districts Note D: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) is available in several communities to assist Canadians in entering trade careers. Programs include Immigrants in Trades Training, Aboriginals in Trades Training and Women in Trades Training 05

6 Financial Supports Chart OPTION 1 OPTION 2 Individual determines they would like to be a skilled trades worker Registers and attends Foundation/Institutional Entry Training Note: Some unemployed individuals may be eligible for funding support. For more information, contact the local WorkBC Centre or Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Services (ASETS). Finds employment with an employer who can and will provide an apprenticeship opportunity Direct Entry Employer registers the trade worker with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) as an apprentice applies for ship Incentive Grant and shipcompletion Grant for Red Seal ships (L1, L2, L3, L4 or IP completion) incentivegrant/program.shtml Or apprentice applies for enhanced tax credits for non-red Seal apprenticeship www2.gov.bc.ca Employer job creation tax credit and enhanced tax credits (*10-20% wages) *Maximums apply Wage Subsidy for eligible candidates: WorkBC or ASETS Contact local WorkBC Employment Services Centre or ASETS agency registers for apprentice classroom training with an ITA-approved training provider Contact trainer directly If required and eligible: Canada Loan applies for apprentice training financial support and approval through the Supports Online, on the WorkBC website (to protect EI and apply for other apprentice benefits such as living expenses away from home): apprentice-online-portal.aspx Note: s should apply a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the start date of course, and no later than the first day of classes.* s on a wait list must apply as soon as they are accepted into the training and no later than the first day of classes. Does not cover tuition. *Contact WorkBC if late applies for Employment Insurance (EI) on last day of work or in last week of work. Use the 16-digit reference code (provided by WorkBC) on the application, as prompted: employmentinsurance.shtml 06

7 Supports for Employer Sponsors of s in BC Wage Subsidy 1 For New Hires Requiring Training 1 WorkBC, ASETS agencies BC, School District ACE IT/SSA Training Tax Credits 2 Service Canada/BC Amounts vary per trade, level, non-red Seal, Red Seal Yearly, per registered apprentice Completion Training Tax Credit Canada-B.C. Job Grant See Note E Other Training Providers STEP Sector Advisory Groups Centre of Training Excellence in Mining. Chambers of Commerce Trade Conferences Economic Development Commissions Government reps Unions See Notes B, C & D ITA Resources ITA website Direct Access: online registering, reporting, and updates Trade profiles and training outlines Training providers/schedules Employer guidebooks and YouTube tutorials News bulletins Targeted initiatives Customer Service ship Advisors Industry Relations Managers Sector Advisory Groups (SAGs) Direct Entry New hire of apprentice without any prior trades training/certification ** Foundation see Note A Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1 Eligible Applicants 2 Rate varies for trade, level, Red Seal or non-red Seal Note A: Foundation trades training often comes before employment in trades: ACE IT and SSA programs are available to assist in preparing youth in entering and continuing apprenticeship Note B: Technical Training: ITA develops curriculum and program standards in consultation with industry and stakeholders Note C: Availability varies in each community Note D: Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP) is available in several communities to assist Canadians in entering trade careers. Programs include Immigrants in Trades Training, Aboriginals in Trades Training and Women in Trades Training Note E: Canada-B.C. Job Grant 07

8 ITA CUSTOMER SERVICE or Industry Training Authority Granville Avenue Richmond, BC V6Y 3T6 facebook.com/industrytrainingauthority twitter.com/ita_bc