The federal government is opening applications for more than $430 million in union-led apprenticeship training, temporarily raising its share of training equipment costs to 70 per cent as it pushes to train workers for homes and major projects. 

The investment will flow through the Union Training and Innovation Program, which funds union-based training for apprentices and skilled trade workers. 

It’s spread over five years and split into three streams: about $197 million to build or expand training facilities, $135 million for new ways to recruit and support apprentices, and $100 million for training equipment.  

Ottawa will now cover up to 70 per cent for training equipment purchases, up from 50 per cent, to help organizations manage rising equipment and material costs.

The investment is part of the Team Canada strong fund, introduced earlier this year during the spring economic update, a plan to recruit, train and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new skilled trades workers. 

“Canada has big ambitions. We need to build more homes, infrastructure, and major projects that will drive our economy forward. To get there, we need skilled workers,” Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli said in a statement. 

Since 2017, the program has supported nearly 220,000 participants, including about 45,500 in 2025-26. Ottawa also spends nearly $1 billion a year on apprenticeship supports, including loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits and the Red Seal Program.

The announcement also comes a day after two Liberal MPs said skilled workforce is a challenge to Canada’s economic ambitions, adding that there’s a disconnect between workers looking for jobs and industries struggling to find workers due to training barriers and mismatched skills. 

READ MORE: Canada’s economic ambitions face skilled workforce challenges, Liberal MPs warn

The government projects about 1.4 million skilled trades job openings between 2024 and 2033, including 593,000 in Red Seal trades.

Organizations hoping to build or expand training facilities have until Nov. 12 to submit expressions of interest for projects starting in Spring 2027. 

Proposals for new ways to recruit and train apprentices are due Dec. 17.