Ontario Invests $1.5M to Train Mentors for Next Generation of Home Builders
Skills Development Fund supports construction workers with modern housing technologies and mentorship opportunities
Ontario is stepping up efforts to address its housing shortage by investing in the people building homes. The provincial government announced a $1.5 million investment through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to train 100 experienced construction workers as mentors who will guide the next wave of home builders in modern construction practices.
The program, unveiled September 18 at Panel-It, a St. Thomas-based division of Doug Tarry Homes, is being led by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) under the initiative called Futures Faster.
Training the trainers
The investment will equip seasoned construction workers with specialized leadership skills and training in areas such as new building code requirements and emerging technologies. Once trained, these mentors will be paired with “mentees” — including new graduates and workers at risk of job displacement — to help them gain credentials in high-demand areas.
Among the skills to be taught are:
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Resilient construction techniques to improve durability and sustainability.
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Mass timber construction, including new regulations allowing for 18-storey wood buildings.
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Radon mitigation practices, ensuring healthier living environments in new homes.
By passing on knowledge and technical expertise, mentors will help prepare younger workers to step into specialized roles and strengthen Ontario’s construction workforce at a time when housing demand is at historic highs.
Building homes — and careers
Labour Minister David Piccini said the program is part of Ontario’s broader plan to accelerate housing construction while preparing workers for the future.
“Ontario needs highly skilled workers that can deliver on our historic $200 billion infrastructure plan to build more homes and other critical infrastructure over the next decade,” Piccini said. “With this investment, we are making sure more home builders have the skills to help open doors to good-paying jobs building more housing in our communities, keeping the dream of home ownership alive for families across the province.”
Mohamed Firin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister, who made the announcement in St. Thomas, highlighted the importance of mentorship in trades training.
“Ontario’s skilled trades are the backbone of our economy and mentorship is key to helping the next generation succeed,” Firin said. “By training experienced workers to become mentors, we’re strengthening Ontario’s workforce and creating new pathways for jobseekers to gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive.”
A long-term investment in skills
The mentorship initiative comes at a critical time. Ontario is facing both a housing supply crunch and a looming skilled trades shortage, with thousands of experienced workers nearing retirement age.
By focusing on mentorship, the government hopes to fast-track the transfer of expertise, ensuring younger workers are prepared to deliver the homes and infrastructure Ontario needs.
Since 2021, the province has invested $1.5 billion through the Skills Development Fund’s Training and Capital streams, supporting training for more than one million workers in in-demand careers. As outlined in the 2025 Budget, Ontario will add another $1 billion to the fund over the next three years, bringing the total to $2.5 billion.
Supporting Ontario’s housing goals
Housing is at the centre of Ontario’s economic and social priorities, with ambitious targets to build 1.5 million new homes by 2031. Programs like Futures Faster directly support this goal by ensuring that the workers on job sites have the skills to adopt modern methods and deliver projects more efficiently.
For both mentors and mentees, the initiative also provides career growth opportunities. Mentors gain leadership credentials, while mentees acquire industry-recognized skills and certifications that can open doors to better-paying jobs.
Looking ahead
As Ontario continues to expand its housing and infrastructure footprint, investments like this highlight the government’s strategy of pairing capital spending with workforce development. By ensuring there are enough trained and experienced workers ready to meet demand, the province is aiming to keep both its housing and economic growth plans on track.
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