Ontario Construction News staff writer
Funded with $1.5 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, CWB Group’s upgraded welding centre is expected to train up to 5,740 additional students pursuing welding careers over the next five years, strengthening the skilled trades workforce in a growing region of the province.
About 12,000 square feet of the headquarters was transformed into a modern training hub featuring a welding shop with 15 booths, electric vehicle training space, classrooms, an exam room and space to support industrial equipment. The facility will deliver both hands-on and theoretical training in welding, inspection, safety and emerging technologies, including virtual and augmented reality tools.
“With the Ontario government’s support, we have designed the CWB Centre of Innovation to focus on ensuring welding and joining professionals have the skills needed to meet current and future industry demands,” said David Collie, Interim President and CEO of CWB Group. “It is a place for industry to work together to advance learning, accelerate innovation and ensure Ontario’s skilled trades remain strong and competitive.”
In 2025 there were 25,300 welders employed in Ontario at an average hourly wage of $30.99 in 2025. It is expected that over 400,000 skilled trades-related occupations will be needed over the next decade to fill job openings due to retirements and job growth.
Expanding access to high-quality training will build the skilled workforce needed to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that will protect Ontario workers and communities.
“Ontario is building the infrastructure our province depends on, and we need to strengthen our world-class workforce to deliver on that progress,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “Through investments like these, we are modernizing training, expanding capacity and ensuring more welders and other skilled trades workers have the skills they need for in-demand, good-paying careers.”
To date, Ontario has committed more than $129 million to expand and modernize training facilities across the province.
Applications for the SDF Capital Stream are accepted on an ongoing basis.
