COLLEGES AND INSTITUTES CANADA
The latest Career Launcher expansion includes work-integrated learning opportunities for up to 6,000 first-year apprentices

Colleges and Institutes Canada is pleased to announce a new $37-million agreement with Employment and Social Development Canada to expand its Career Launcher program. Over two years, more than 6,000 apprentices in one of 39 Red Seal Trades in the Construction and Manufacturing sectors will benefit from work-integrated learning experiences through Career Launcher.

This latest expansion builds on Career Launcher's model of providing wage subsidies for employers to hire post-secondary students and recent graduates for internship opportunities. 

Now, eligible employers can receive up to $5,000 to hire a first-year apprentice in one of 39 trades as an intern, to a maximum of two apprentices per employer, per year. Eligible employers can also receive an additional $5,000 if the apprentice is from an equity-deserving group - including women, Indigenous people, newcomers, persons with disabilities, racialized communities including Black Canadians, and LGBTQ2+ - or living in a rural, remote or northern community. 

Originally launched in 2015 as part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, Career Launcher connects post-secondary students and recent graduates with employers by providing wage subsidies towards an intern's salary. Watch the Career-Launcher website for more updates as they become available. 

 The program has expanded to include five domains: Clean Tech, Digital Tech, Natural Resources, Impact internships for work opportunities that contribute to Canada's 2030 SDG Agenda, and most recently Red Seal Trades.

"We are absolutely thrilled with this latest expansion of Career Launcher, which has already helped more than 2000 interns gain valuable work-integrated learning experiences. Expanding into designated Red Seal Trades will not only help more students find fulfilling careers but will also help address labour market shortages in the construction and manufacturing sectors, which are vital to Canada's economic recovery." 

Denise Amyot, President and CEO, Colleges and Institutes Canada