Subsidies for employers and apprentices today for a stronger electrical sector tomorrow.

While filling out your Claim Forms, you will notice fields asking you for your NOC and NAICS Codes.

NOC (National Occupational Classification) and NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) are two important classification systems used to categorize economic activities and occupations.

NOC Codes (National Occupational Classification): Common Trade Codes 

 72200 Electrician/Apprentice Electrician  

72203 Powerline Technician (Lineman)/Apprentice Powerline Apprentices 

72300 Plumbers/Plumber Apprentices 

72402 Air Conditioning (Residential) Mechanic/Apprentice & Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic/Apprentices 

75110 Construction trades helpers and labourers 

72102 Sheet metal workers 

NAICS Code (North American Industry Classification System): Common Trade Codes 

238210 Electrical Contractor businesses  

237130 Utility Contractor businesses  

237130 Power, communication line, and related structures construction  

238220 Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors  

Wage Subsidy: You can register up to two (2) apprentices for the wage subsidy.

Equipment Subsidy: You can apply for the equipment subsidy for up to two (2) separate apprentices, provided they are registered as 2nd or 3rd year apprentices according to their Registered Training Agreement dates.

Training Subsidy:

- Subsidy for Individual Apprentice Training for a maximum of two (2) apprentices, OR;

- Subsidy for Group Training, provided at least one apprentice is included.

Training can be on-site, off-site, online, or in-person.

No, you do not have to be an OEL Member to qualify for these subsidies. All employers, OEL Members and non-Members in a trade that we support, will be able to benefit from this funding.

Our Subsidy Program supports the following trades:

 ● 306A Plumber

 ● 308A Sheet Metal Worker

 ● 308R Residential (Low-Rise) Sheet Metal Installer

 ● 309A Electrician - Construction and Maintenance

 ● 309C Residental Electrician

 ● 313A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic

 ● 313D Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic

 ● 434A Powerline Technician

 ● 442A Industrial Electrician

 ● 636E Elevating Devices Mechanic

Wage Subsidies: You are able to submit claims for wages backdating to six weeks prior to your application date.

Equipment & Training Subsidies: You can submit claims backdating to June 30, 2026.

Apprentices must be working for the employer submitting the claims for a minimum of six weeks.

An RTA is a Registered Training Agreement that each apprentice must register for with Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) in order to be an official apprentice and collect apprenticeship hours towards their certification. We need this as proof that your apprentice is officially registered. 

If your apprentices do not have an RTA, you can reach out to Susie Mitchell at susie.mitchell@supportontarioyouth.ca from our partner organization, Support Ontario Youth (SOY). SOY specializes in providing support services to register apprentices with STO at no charge. 

You can, also, register your apprentice directly on the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal.

You can submit as many claims as needed for each of our subsidies until you have maxed out that subsidy's allowance.

It can take up to six weeks after a claim has been submitted.

Claims cannot be made for equipment or training unless it has been purchased/completed.

We process the subsidy payment as a direct deposit based on the accounting information you provide us via a Void Cheque or Direct Deposit form.

We have eliminated the process of issuing cheques to ensure prompt payment as well as a more secure and convenient payment system.

No, we do not send training subsidy payments to apprentices. We would reimburse the employer, and they will have to reimburse the apprentice.

The equipment reimbursement can be paid directly to the employer or the apprentice. Alternatively, OEL can pay a local tool distributor directly for the apprentice’s individual equipment choices.

That depends on the type of funding you receive and from which funder. Please contact maria.wowk@oel.org for further details.

If you are unclear about the eligibility of your claim, please contact maria.wowk@oel.org prior to making a purchase for equipment or training.

An RTA is a Registered Training Agreement that each apprentice must register for with Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) in order to be an official apprentice and collect apprenticeship hours towards their certification.

If you do not have an RTA, you can reach out to Susie Mitchell at susie.mitchell@supportontarioyouth.ca from our partner organization, Support Ontario Youth (SOY). SOY specializes in providing support services to register apprentices with STO at no charge.

 Your employer can, also, register your apprenticeship directly on the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal.

Wage Subsidies & Training Subsidies: Not directly. The subsidies are paid to your employer as reimbursements, which help them cover the costs of your wages and training, and other career-development support you receive while working with them.

Equipment Subsidies: The equipment reimbursement can be paid directly to the employer or the apprentice. Alternatively,  OEL can pay a local tool distributor directly for the apprentice’s individual equipment choices.

Funding may be available. Please contact maria.wowk@oel.org for further details.

Another good resource to check out is the Learning Networks of Ontario. They have several local networks across Ontario that offer free learning resources and support to help you keep up with the schooling portion of your apprenticeship and prepare for your qualification exam.