Ontario investing $10M to train workers in shipbuilding and repair

The Ontario government is investing $10 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream with Ontario Shipyards Inc. to train and upskill workers for careers in the shipbuilding and repair sector.

The investment is part of the government’s up to $1.4 billion investment through the SDF to partner with employers, labour unions and other local organizations to connect jobseekers with employers, grow the province’s workforce and drive Ontario’s productivity.

Ontario Shipyards Inc. will deliver training, re-skilling and up-skilling programs for careers in the millwright, welding, electrical and painting trades in St. Catharines, Hamilton and Thunder Bay. Courses will include ship building and ship repair, shipyard orientation and health and safety procedures, along with professional development, leadership training and mentoring to recruit and retain the next generation of leaders and workers.

“Under Premier Ford, our government is proud to partner with major employers across the province to create tens of thousands of highly-skilled, well-paying jobs and ensure local workers have the training and opportunity to thrive in these careers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Today’s announcement is a $10 million investment in manufacturing workers and is yet another example of how our government is delivering better training for workers across the province.”

According to the Ontario government, over the next decade in Ontario, nearly 9,500 job openings are forecasted for construction millwrights and industrial mechanics, over 9,000 for welders, over 14,600 for electricians and nearly 6,600 are forecasted for painters and decorators (except interior decorators) due to retirements and job growth. About 13,100 of these job openings are expected to be in Central Ontario, which includes the Hamilton-Niagara area.