The programme will provide paid work placements, apprenticeship support and certification incentives. The government says the plan will help meet demand for skilled workers needed for housing, infrastructure and energy projects.

The initiative includes up to 10,000 dollars for first-year apprentice salaries, a 5,000 dollar completion bonus for certified trades workers and weekly training support payments. Funding will also be used to modernise apprenticeship systems and expand union training centres. The government aims to cut certification times by 50 percent and estimates Canada will need more than 1.4 million new trades workers by 2033.