KITCHENER, ONT. — Premier Doug Ford made skilled trades training investment announcements in Kitchener, Ont. July 22 that will benefit the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association, the Grand Valley Construction Association and the Christian Labour Association of Canada.
The Ontario Government is investing up to an additional $260 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to tackle the province’s labour shortage, the largest round of funding since the SDF Training Stream was launched in 2021. It brings Ontario’s total investment to $1.4 billion.
Ontario will open the fifth round of the SDF Training Stream on July 29 to address challenges for recruiting, training and upskilling workers for in-demand sectors such as manufacturing, construction and technology, states a release.
Eligible organizations include employers, employment services, training providers, labour unions, community organizations, business and industry organizations, municipalities, hospitals, Indigenous band offices, Indigenous skills and employment training agreement holders and service system managers.
The government is also investing over $7.2 million through a previous round of SDF to train nearly 3,300 workers and jobseekers in the Kitchener area, bringing Ontario’s total investment in training for the area workers to over $20 million.
These projects include:
- Canadian Tooling and Machining Association: $5.4 million to create technical skills development opportunities for at least 3,000 high school students in manufacturing technology programs. The funding will also deliver 300 paid job placements for approximately 160 young people and create 30 new apprenticeships in the precision metalworking industry across Ontario, including tool and die makers, mould makers and computer-numerical-control machinists.
- Grand Valley Construction Association: $1.08 million to deliver free job-ready training for careers in construction such as painting, drywall, carpentry, roofing and masonry work, as well as health and safety training, and match participants with local employers through paid job placements. Participants will include jobseekers and people from underrepresented and vulnerable groups such as Indigenous people, newcomers and justice-involved individuals in Waterloo, Brant and Wellington regions.
- Christian Labour Association of Canada: $723,688 to provide free training and paid job placements for workers in construction. The training will focus on the basics of construction and essential skills in health, safety and wellness. Participants will include women, Indigenous people, newcomers, young people, underrepresented people and justice-involved individuals across the province.
“The Skills Development Fund has been a game changer for the construction industry,” said Karen Renkema, vice-president, Ontario, for the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA), in a statement. “The funds have enabled innovative training partnerships, pathways and programs that have served to attract and support many new participants into the skilled trades. PCA members are pleased to partner with CLAC, as their SDF funding allows young people the chance to explore rewarding careers in the skilled trades and assists in mentoring apprentices so they can complete and advance their pathway to becoming a licensed journeyperson.”
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