Mr. James Moore, Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam, on behalf of the Canadian Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, today launched the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant in British Columbia and Yukon, at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Burnaby.

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant grants $1,000 cash per year to registered apprentices who have finished their first or second year in a designated trade program, on or after January 1, 2007. The program will help apprentices achieve goals by offsetting typical student costs including tuition, travel and tools.

In announcing the grants, Moore said “Our government is committed to creating the best-educated, most skilled, and most flexible work force in the world. The new $1,000 Apprenticeship Incentive Grant will help thousands of young apprentices every year in British Columbia and Yukon succeed and assist businesses that need staff with the right expertise.”

At the announcement, Wayne Hand of the School of Construction and the Environment said, “Skilled tradespeople play an important role in B.C.’s economy and BCIT is proud of its Trades and Apprenticeship Programs’ tradition of excellence. By supporting young apprentices, we help them realize their career goals while ensuring skilled tradespeople are in place for the future.”

Canadian readers can get more information about the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, by visiting http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca or calling 1 866 742 3644 (TTY 1 866 909 9757).