Ontario investing up to $260M to train new workers
Applications for the largest round of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to train workers in manufacturing, construction, and technology will open this week.
July 29, 2024 | By MRO Staff
The Ontario government is investing up to an additional $260 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream in a bid to tackle the province’s labour shortage.
The new investment will be the largest round of funding since the SDF Training Stream was launched in 2021 and brings Ontario’s total investment through the Fund to up to $1.4 billino. The government is also investing over $7.2 million through a previous round of SDF to train nearly 3,300 workers in the Kitchener area and across Ontario.
“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,” said Premier Doug Ford. “By continuing to work for workers and make these important investments, we are also tackling Ontario’s labour shortage and bringing back good-paying jobs in manufacturing and the skilled trades.”
Ontario will open the fifth round of SDF Training Stream on July 29, 2024, to address challenges for recruiting, training, and upskilling workers for in-demand sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and technology. Organizations eligible for funding include employers, employment service, training providers, labour unions, community organizations, business and industry organizations, municipalities, hospitals, Indigenous Band offices, Indigenous skills and employment training agreement holders and service system managers.
The announcement was made in Kitchener, Ont., where the government also announced an investment of over $7.2 million through the fourth round of SDF to train nearly 3,300 local workers and jobseekers for well-paying careers in manufacturing and construction. This brings Ontario’s total investment in training for Kitchener area workers to over $20 million. These projects include:
- Canadian Tooling and Machining Association: $5,466,080 to create technical skills development opportunities for at least 3,000 high school students in manufacturing technology programs. This funding will also deliver 300 paid job placements for approximately 160 young people and create 30 new apprenticeships in the precision metalworking industry across Ontario, including tool and die makers, mold makers, and computer-numerical-control (CNC) machinists.
- Grand Valley Construction Association: $1,086,058 to deliver free job-ready training for careers in construction such as painting, drywall, carpentry, roofing, and masonry work, as well as health and safety training, and match participants with local employers through paid job placements. Participants will include jobseekers, Indigenous people, and newcomers in the Waterloo, Brant, and Wellington regions.
- Christian Labour Association of Canada: $723,688 to provide free training and paid job placements for workers in construction. The training will focus on the basics of construction and essential skills in health, safety and wellness. Participants will include women, Indigenous people, newcomers, and young people across the province.