Certain Canadians could get a $5000 bonus from the government next month

Some workers in Canada could soon get thousands of dollars from the government after completing training for high-demand jobs.

Starting Nov. 16, trades workers who completed an apprenticeship and earned their certification in a Red Seal trade on or after April 1, 2025, can apply for a $5,000 bonus.

The Red Seal Completion Bonus is part of the government's $8 billion Team Canada Strong investment. The initiative aims to recruit, train, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers over the next five years.

The one-time bonus rewards apprentices who earn their Red Seal certification as the government looks to speed up certification.

What's a Red Seal trades certificate?

There are 300 in-demand designated trades in Canada, out of which 54 are Red Seal trades. These include hairstylists, cooks, bakers, plumbers, machinists, carpenters, industrial electricians, welders and heavy equipment operators.

The Red Seal Program is a standard used to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. Since the certificate is considered a national standard, it makes it easier for workers to practice their trade across the country.

To get certified, workers must meet the required experience and pass the Red Seal Exam for Red Seal Trades.

How can you apply?

You can apply for the $5,000 bonus if you're a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person who’s not currently attending high school.

Here's what you need to apply:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN) — permanent residents with a Social Insurance Number that begins with a 9, and protected persons will also be required to provide proof of status in Canada
• mailing address
• email address (optional and recommended)
• banking information to sign up for direct deposit
• Red Seal trade name and certification date
• province or territory of certification
• apprentice identification number

Supporting documents must be submitted within 28 calendar days of the beginning of an application, or you'll need to submit a new application.

Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, said there are "good jobs" in the Red Seal trades in Canada, but there aren't enough certified workers to fill them.

"Earning a Red Seal takes time and hard work, and we want more apprentices to see it through,” she stated. “That is why we are introducing a completion bonus to recognize young people's efforts and help them get ahead as they start their careers."

In addition to the bonus, the government will provide apprentices with up to $400 every week (or a total of $16,000 per apprentice) while attending mandatory in-class technical training.

Visit the government website for more information.