VAUGHAN, ONT. — Premier Doug Ford and other cabinet ministers gathered at the LIUNA Local 183 training centre in Vaughan, Ont. today to announce a new capital fund for development of new training centres and the expansion of existing facilities.
The pre-budget announcement also included a pledge to allocate $75 million more over the next three years to support the operations and programming at training centres, citing such trades as electricians, welders and mechanics.
“Our government is investing $224 million more for employment service and training providers including labour groups, indigenous centres, business and industry organizations and others to build new training facilities and modernize and expand existing ones, where workers can learn the skills they need to earn good paying jobs and stable careers in the trades,” said Ford.
“Under this program, labour groups with existing training centres can apply to retrofit their facilities with additional, let’s say, welding rooms and other areas, and an employer industry association can apply for funding towards construction of a new training centre.”
Applications for the new Skills Development Fund (SDF) capital stream are expected to open in late spring.
The SDF was launched two years ago. Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton said in Vaughan the response has been “overwhelming” with almost 400,000 trainees assisted.
“But we need to expand our capacity so we can help more workers trained for better jobs,” McNaughton said.
Jack Oliveira, business manager of Local 183, commented, “The first three rounds of the SDF were tremendously successful and saw thousands of people receive skills for rewarding careers in industries such as the skilled trades.
“The newly announced capital stream will ensure that training providers in Ontario have the necessary tools and resources to continue their great work.”
The provincial budget will be delivered by Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy on March 23.
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