Ontario to connect 900 new immigrants with jobs

The Ontario government is investing over $900,000 to connect 900 new immigrants across the province with jobs as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, welders, chefs and other in-demand trades.

Through the free, virtual workshops, newcomers will receive the training and job connections needed to enter careers.

“Across the province, we continue to hear from businesses in the skilled trades who can’t find the workers they need to grow,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister, Labour, Training and Skills Development. “These are bigger paycheques waiting for hardworking people to collect them. This program will connect newcomers with the training and support they need to fill these good local jobs and build better communities.”

Organized by the YMCA/YWCA, workshops are being provided to newcomers in Ottawa, Toronto, and other Ontario cities. Sessions will continue until the end of February 2022.

Through the workshops, newcomers will learn how to find an apprenticeship, what employers look for when hiring, and how to get a Trades Equivalency Assessment.

Outreach workers are being hired by the YMCA/YWCA to promote connections between newcomers, employers, and local employment service centres.

“We are thrilled to be leading the Ontario Newcomer Trades Action Project in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development,” said Bob Gallagher, President and Chief Executive Officer, YMCA-YWCA in the National Capital Region. “By scaling this project to five Y’s across the Province, and targeting three main stakeholder groups – employers in the sector, service providers, and newcomers – we will improve access to apprenticeship training and employment across Ontario.”