Ontario Government Invests $3.6 Million in Skills Development for Hamilton Workers

Hamilton — The Ontario government is investing over $3.6 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) in four training projects and one building expansion project in Hamilton. These investments aim to provide free training for up to 3,800 apprentices, journeypersons, and job seekers, preparing them for careers in in-demand jobs such as millwright, welding, and electrical trades.

“Our government is giving workers in Hamilton the support and skills training they need to find good-paying, in-demand jobs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “By continuing to invest in our Skills Development Fund, including the brand-new SDF capital stream, we’re also helping build up Ontario’s labour force so we can support provincial businesses and attract new investment, better jobs, and bigger paycheques for Ontario workers.”

This morning, I met with union members and tradespeople in Hamilton to announce a $3.6 million investment through Ontario’s Skills Development Fund that will provide free training to 3,800 apprentices, journeypersons and jobseekers.

This major investment in the skilled trades is… pic.twitter.com/61VjxryenE

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) July 2, 2024

The funding announced today will support the following training and capital projects:

1. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 105
   • Funding: $2,388,405
   • Impact: Two training projects will help a total of 80 unemployed or underemployed, disadvantaged, or underrepresented people gain entry-level electrical skills and safety training. Red Seal electricians will also receive upskilling to obtain their welding certificates in Hamilton and the surrounding area.
2. United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1916 (Millwright Local 1916)
   • Funding: $797,953
   • Impact: A project to train 125 millwrights, apprentices, and journeypersons on the latest jobsite technology, including optical levels and shaft alignment lasers. Training will also be provided to job seekers, youth, women, recent immigrants, and Indigenous peoples in Hamilton, as well as Grey, Bruce, Brant, and Waterloo counties.
3. International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Iron Workers Local 736
   • Funding: $178,460
   • Impact: A project to help up to 50 ironworker apprentices, journeypersons, job seekers, women, Indigenous peoples, youth, and others gain welding skills. It will also support the purchase and outfitting of four new welding booths at the Local 736 training facility.
4. United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1916 (Millwright Local 1916)
   • Funding: $248,338.86
   • Impact: A project to build a new mezzanine level to improve Local 1916’s existing training centre in Hamilton, increasing available training space by 15 to 20 percent. This will enhance capacity for apprenticeship programs and training certifications for safety training and technical and leadership skills, including welding and optical and laser alignment. Up to 3,545 members are expected to benefit over the next six years, including women and Indigenous peoples in Hamilton.

“As Ontario continues to grow, we need to attract more people into the skilled trades,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government has achieved impressive results for workers and job seekers by working closely with labour and industry partners.”

Over the next decade, more than 500,000 additional workers will be needed in skilled trades-related occupations in Ontario. These skilled jobs are crucial as Ontario moves forward with plans to build more homes, highways, and other key infrastructure across the province. The government is investing in the skilled trades through training, new equipment, and new facility construction and renovations. These enhanced training centres will help thousands of additional workers get the training they need to secure better jobs and ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need.