Cooks and Bakers Included in $6B Federal Investment for Red Seal Trades

Restaurants Canada is pleased to report that the federal government has included cooks and bakers among the Red Seal trades being targeted as part of a $6 billion nationwide effort to recruit, train, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal skilled trades workers in the next five years. 

This important initiative, Team Canada Strong, was included in the federal Spring Economic Update last week. Restaurants Canada has had conversations with federal officials over the past few days to confirm that cooks and bakers are being included among the 54 Red Seal trades that are eligible under this program.

As members know, Restaurants Canada launched our Workforce Campaign earlier this year as part of our advocacy to address the labour challenges facing our industry, including in the skilled trades. This announcement by the federal government, with the inclusion of cooks and bakers, is a direct response to our efforts.

Among the initiatives Team Canada Strong funding will support:

• $2 billion to support young Canadians with paid, job-ready placements that lead directly into registered apprenticeships.
• $331 million in funding over five years to boost and modernize apprenticeship training to expedite Red Seal certification.
• $3.4 billion over five years to address the challenges that can stop apprentices from completing their training and moving into permanent jobs.
• Apprenticeship Training Grant will provide a $400 weekly top-up while apprentices attend mandatory in-class technical training.
• Increases to Canada Student Grants and interest-free Canada Student Loans into 2026-27.

The full news release can be found here.

As more details about the implementation of this funding for Red Seal trades become available, we will keep you informed. Restaurants Canada’s advocacy on the broader labour challenges facing our industry continues.