NIAGARA FALLS, ONT. — The Ontario government has announced spending of $673,000 to support the training of new electrical construction workers by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 303 based in Niagara Falls, Ont.
The funding comes from Ontario’s Skills Development Fund (SDF). Led by IBEW 303, the Job Readiness Program provided 16 apprentices with basic electrical and safety skills training along with financial, budgeting, mentorship and job placement resources and paid work placements on jobsites across the Niagara region.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, there were nearly 1,500 job vacancies for electricians in Ontario.
“As Ontario faces the largest labour shortage in a generation, our government is delivering on our commitment to build up our workforce and grow our economy,” stated Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini in a release. “Together with our union partners, we’re creating training opportunities for Ontarians to develop the skills for well-paying, highly in-demand careers and land a better job with a bigger paycheque.”
“This initiative offers enhanced training and career development in the electrical trade,” added Mark Cherney, business manager of IBEW Local 303.
In its recent Budget 2024, the Ontario government announced it is allocating an additional $100 million through the SDF to expand the trades workforce, bringing Ontario’s total SDF investment to nearly $1 billion.
Recent Comments