Subsidies to help you support your 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  

You can register up to two (2) apprentices for the wage subsidy. You can also apply for the equipment subsidy for up to two (2) separate apprentices, provided they are registered 2nd or 3rd year apprentices according to their Registered Training Agreements.

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 apprentice subsidies support 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

You are able to submit claims for wages backdating to January 1, 2025.

As for equipment or training subsidies, you can only submit claims backdating to March 31, 2025.

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 you or your apprentices do not have an RTA, you can reach out to Angela at angela.thomas@supportontarioyouth.ca from our partner organization, Support Ontario Youth (SOY). They specialize in providing support services to register apprentices with STO at no charge.

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.

However, please note that claims cannot be made for equipment or training unless it has been purchased/completed.

We send money 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 money to apprentices. We would reimburse the employer, and they will have to reimburse the apprentice.

That depends on the funding you receive and from where. Please contact robyn.hayden@oel.org for further details.

If you are unclear about the qualifications of your submission, please contact robyn.hayden@oel.org prior to making a purchase for equipment or training.

Currently, we only provide the funding. Employers must source out their own resources. However, we are creating a resource library to further assist participating employers/.

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

A Registered Training Agreement (RTA) is a formal apprenticeship contract with Skilled Trades Ontario that each apprentice must have in order to be an official apprentice and collect hours towards your certification.

If you do not have an RTA, you can reach out to Angela at angela.thomas@supportontarioyouth.ca from our partner organization, Support Ontario Youth (SOY). They specialize in providing support services to register apprentices with STO at no charge.

As a requirement, you need to be the following in order to participate in the subsidy program:

(1) Registered with Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) .

(2) Be employed.

The subsidies are paid to your employer as reimbursements. They help cover the costs of your wages, equipment, training, and other career-development support you receive while working. As the program is available to all employers regardless of Membership, you can inform your employer to apply for the program if they are not aware of this benefit.