Ontario Government Increases Skills Development Fund to Address Labour Shortage

KITCHENER — The Ontario government has announced a substantial increase in funding for the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream, injecting an additional $260 million to tackle the province’s labour shortage and connect workers with high-paying jobs. This marks the largest round of funding since the SDF Training Stream was launched in 2021, bringing the total investment to $1.4 billion.

Premier Doug Ford emphasized the significance of this initiative in a recent announcement: “Our government’s record investments in the Skills Development Fund are helping connect workers here in Kitchener and across the province to better jobs and bigger paycheques. By continuing to make these important investments, we are also tackling Ontario’s labour shortage and bringing back good-paying jobs in manufacturing and the skilled trades.”

Scheduled to open on July 29, 2024, the fifth round of SDF Training Stream will address the challenges of recruiting, training, and upskilling workers for in-demand sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and technology. The program will offer funding to a wide range of organizations, including employers, training providers, labor unions, community groups, municipalities, and Indigenous organizations.

I was in Kitchener this morning to announce that our government is investing an additional $260 million in our Skills Development Fund!

This brings our total investment in the fund up to $1.4 billion, which will help train more workers across Ontario for careers in the skilled… pic.twitter.com/IoNCSXq5uO

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) July 22, 2024

David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, underscored the critical role of Ontario’s workforce in the province’s economic revival: “Under Premier Ford, our government has revived our province’s manufacturing and construction sectors – and the key to our success is Ontario’s workers. That’s why we are launching the biggest round of our Skills Development Fund yet, investing up to $260 million to train even more workers across the province. Whether your passion is developing the next generation of EVs, building nuclear power stations, or creating homes for new families, our government is making sure you have the opportunity to thrive.”

The announcement was made in Kitchener, where the government also revealed a $7.2 million investment from the fourth round of SDF to train nearly 3,300 local workers and job seekers for careers in manufacturing and construction. This brings Ontario’s total training investment in the Kitchener area to over $20 million. Key projects funded include:

• Canadian Tooling and Machining Association: $5.47 million to create technical skills development opportunities for over 3,000 high school students in manufacturing technology programs. The funding will also provide 300 paid job placements and create 30 new apprenticeships in precision metalworking, including tool and die makers, mold makers, and CNC machinists.
• Grand Valley Construction Association: $1.09 million to offer free job-ready training in construction trades such as painting, drywall, carpentry, roofing, and masonry work, along with health and safety training. Participants, including job seekers and individuals from underrepresented and vulnerable groups, will be matched with local employers through paid job placements.
• Christian Labour Association of Canada: $723,688 to deliver free training and paid job placements focusing on the basics of construction and essential skills in health, safety, and wellness. The program targets women, Indigenous people, newcomers, young people, and other underrepresented groups across the province.

These strategic investments are designed to enhance the skills of Ontario’s workforce, ensuring that workers are well-equipped for the future and that the province remains competitive in key industries. As the government continues to focus on workforce development, Ontarians can look forward to more opportunities for high-paying, stable careers in their communities.