Ontario Invests $4.7 Million to Boost Skilled Trades Training

Niagara Falls, ON – In a significant move to address the growing demand for skilled trades professionals, the Ontario government has announced an investment of over $4.7 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF). This funding will support three Niagara Region-based projects, offering free training to 2,318 youth, apprentices, and jobseekers, thus preparing them for lucrative careers in the skilled trades.

This latest investment is part of Ontario’s broader commitment to skills development, bringing the total investment through the SDF to nearly $1.1 billion. The initiative aims to attract more youth to the skilled trades, ensuring that the province can keep pace with its growing infrastructure and industrial needs.

Under @fordnation we’re working hand-in-hand w labour & industry partners like @1007Local to create new training opportunities for youth. 🛠️

Our $4.7M through the SDF will continue to support the hiring, training & retaining of youth in the trades to build a stronger Ontario. https://t.co/pkACDprdRl

— David Piccini (@DavidPiccini) June 10, 2024

“Creating Pathways to Success”

David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “To keep up with our growing province, we need to attract more youth into the skilled trades, which is why our government is working hand-in-hand with labour and industry partners to create new training opportunities,” said Piccini. “By investing in these projects in Niagara Region, we are creating more pathways for young people to start a well-paying career in the skilled trades and build a brighter future for themselves.”

The Ontario government is partnering with local industry leaders to deliver these training programs. The projects receiving funding include:

Civiconnect Youth Community Engagement Organization: This organization will receive $3 million to help 350 youth aged 14 to 29 in the Niagara Region develop technical and workplace preparedness skills. Training will cover careers in the skilled trades, digital marketing, web development, digital system administration, cloud computing, and information technology. Participants will gain hands-on experience by working on projects submitted by local businesses.
Edge Factor Inc.: Awarded $1,087,600, this project aims to showcase careers and opportunities in the skilled trades through online platforms. It will reach 1,920 youth, jobseekers, parents, and community members in Niagara Region and across Ontario, providing them with valuable insights and information about career possibilities in the skilled trades.
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, Local 1007: With a grant of $650,369, this project will purchase and outfit a new six-booth welding trailer in the Niagara Region. The state-of-the-art equipment will enable Local 1007 to train, test, and certify an additional 48 apprentices and journeypersons in various types of welding, meeting the increasing demand from industry and employers in Ontario.

“Breaking the Stigma”

Patrice Barnes, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, highlighted the broader impact of these initiatives. “We have heard from young people and students in the community that their only pathway to success is through university. It’s time we break that stigma. The skilled trades open the door to a future with a six-figure salary – all without tuition debt,” said Barnes. “We’re especially proud to support these local projects in Niagara Region because we know careers like these are more than a paycheque; they offer young people hope and self-confidence.”

Since its inception in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has connected over half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to secure well-paying and fulfilling careers close to home. This latest investment reinforces the province’s dedication to building a skilled workforce and supporting economic growth in the region.

For more information on these training opportunities and how to apply, residents can visit the Ontario government’s official website or contact the participating organizations directly.