GNWT makes changes to Trades and Occupation Wage Subsidy Program (TOWSP)
Publication Date
News Release
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is announcing changes to the Trades and Occupation Wage Subsidy Program (TOWSP). The changes will help employers hire and retain third and fourth year apprentices, and will encourage employers to recruit women into non-traditional trades.
In the summer of 2021, participating employers provided their feedback through a survey, which informed the announced changes. In the survey, 90 per cent of employers supported allocating the budget remaining after October 1 to fund third and fourth year apprentices.
When the TOWSP has surplus funding on October 1 of the given fiscal year, an employer will be able to receive up to 6400 hours of funding for an apprentice, which represents an increase of 3200 hours.. The increase will allow employers to continue to receive funding for their third and fourth year apprentices.
Despite representing approximately half of the population, fewer than five per cent of apprentices in the NWT are women,. To encourage employers to recruit female apprentices into non-traditional trades, employers will now be eligible to receive a wage subsidy of $15.20 per hour per female apprentice (up from $8.00 per hour).
Quote(s)
“I’m happy to announce these changes to the Trades and Occupation Wage Subsidy Program. The changes enable employers to access additional funding to support third and fourth year apprentices, and encourage employers to recruit women into non-traditional trades. The GNWT is committed to increasing employment opportunities for all NWT residents, and aims to ensure that tools are in place to help residents and businesses succeed.”
- R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
Quick facts
If there is surplus funding after October 1 of the given year, the number of hours an employer can receive funding for per apprentice can increase up to 6400 hours.
Employers with level 1 and 2 apprentices would have priority until October of the fiscal year, however, if a surplus in budget remained as of October, employers could continue to receive funding for their apprentices third and fourth years.
Employers can receive $15.20 per hour to hire female apprentices in non-traditional trades.
Currently fewer than five per cent of apprentices in the NWT are women. ECE is actively working to increase the number of female apprentices.