Gta Construction News staff writer
Ontario has opened applications for a $260-million round of funding to train workers for construction jobs along with health care, manufacturing, automotive and other skilled trades.
This is the sixth round of the skills development fund from Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government.
Labour Minister David Piccini also announced the recipients of a $20-million investment that was part of the last round of skills funding, which includes money for youth, manufacturing and hospitality workers as well as for health care workers such as nurses.
Employers, employment service and training providers, labour unions, business and industry organizations, hospitals, Indigenous Band offices, Indigenous skills and employment training agreement holders, service system managers and other community organizations eligible for funding can submit their proposals through Transfer Payment Ontario. Applications will close on Oct. 1.
More than $20 million has been awarded through the fifth round of SDF to train 4,825 workers and jobseekers for careers in the skilled trades, hospitality and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health care. These projects include:
- Support Ontario Youth: $3.75 million to support 1,325 jobseekers, high school graduates and apprentices across 15 skilled trades through tailored education, hands on training, mentorship and employer matching. People interested in participating can visit https://toolsinthetrades.ca/.
- Finishing Trades Institute of Ontario: $3.8 million to train 120 participants for painting and glazing trades across Toronto, Ottawa and Ancaster through job readiness training and 12-week placements. Additionally, 800 members of the trade will receive critical upskilling. People interested in participating can apply through Training the Future Workforce: Apprenticeship Readiness Program.
- Ontario Electrical League: $3 million to help 500 journeypersons, registered apprentices, people residing in remote/rural communities with financial aid, training and outreach to address labour shortages in the electrical sector. People interested in participating can apply by contacting the Ontario Electrical League at 905-238-1382.
