Finding skilled trades workers in Nunavut is hard. Labour costs are high. Hiring and training apprentices can feel risky. Wage subsidy programs, including the Training Assistance Program (TAP) — Nunavut, help reduce that risk by covering part of your payroll while workers gain job-ready skills.
For small and mid-sized employers, this can be the difference between delaying a hire and building a stable trades workforce.
Wage subsidies reimburse part of an employee’s wages while they train on the job. For trades employers, this lowers the cost of taking on apprentices, entry-level tradespeople, or workers moving into a skilled role.
In Nunavut, wage subsidies are often used to:
The Training Assistance Program (TAP) is the main wage subsidy for hiring and training workers in Nunavut.
Key funding details
Who can apply
Eligible positions
Training format
This flexibility makes TAP well-suited for skilled trades and apprenticeship-style roles, where learning happens directly at the worksite.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter wage subsidy programs by province, workforce size, and industry in seconds.
Wage subsidies work well for apprentices because early training years require more supervision and lower productivity.
With TAP, employers often use funding to:
TAP supports up to one year of training. This matches key apprenticeship milestones, such as initial trade competencies and workplace certification requirements.
Most wage subsidy applications follow a simple structure.
Typical steps
For TAP, training must connect to a real job opportunity, not just a temporary placement with no long-term role.
Hiring before approval
Most wage subsidy programs, including TAP, require approval before wages are paid. If you start early, those costs are not eligible.
Missing the wage cap math
TAP only reimburses wages up to $15 per hour. You can pay more, but the excess is not subsidized.
Weak training plans
If your application does not clearly explain how skills will be taught and checked, approval may be delayed or declined.
Assuming subsidies cover all costs
Wage subsidies help with payroll, not tools, safety gear, or supervision time unless stated otherwise.
Q: Can I use wage subsidies to hire experienced trades workers?
Yes. TAP can support workers who need upskilling or retraining, not just brand-new apprentices, as long as training is required for the role.
Q: Are apprentices required to be registered in a formal program?
Not always. Formal registration helps, but on-the-job training for trade-related roles can still be eligible under TAP.
Q: Can I combine TAP with other funding?
Sometimes. Stacking is possible, but total government assistance usually cannot exceed actual wage costs. Always confirm before applying.
Q: Is the TAP wage subsidy taxable?
Wage subsidies are usually considered government assistance and may affect payroll reporting and financial statements.
Q: Does TAP work for seasonal construction projects?
Yes. TAP supports seasonal positions, which is helpful for construction, maintenance, and infrastructure work in Nunavut.
Hiring skilled trades workers and apprentices in Nunavut does not have to strain your cash flow. Wage subsidies like the Nunavut Training Assistance Program reduce risk while you build long-term capacity. TAP is only available in Nunavut, but other provinces and territories offer their own wage subsidy programs for trades and apprentices.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active wage subsidy and training programs across Canada. Checking which ones match your business profile is a practical next step before you post your next trades job.
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