Ontario Investing More Than $1.5 Million to Train Workers in Southern Ontario

Skills Development Fund investing in Workplace Skills Development Program

NEWS

November 5, 2024

LONDON, ON – The Ontario government is investing more than $1.5 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) in the Workplace Skills Development Program and the McCormick Centre for Learning & Development to train over 2300 workers in London, ON, for in-demand careers in the trades and healthcare. This latest round of funding brings Ontario’stotal investment through the Skills Development Fund to up to $1.4 billion.

“Under Premier Ford, our government has an ambitious plan to build Ontario: from new housing that families can call home, to highways and public transit connecting our communities, and clean energy projects powering our economy. But after years of neglect and under-investment in the trades from previous Liberal governments, one in three tradespeople are nearing retirement.” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why we’re partnering with local employers, unions, and educators to pass on the expertise and wisdom of the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of students, apprentices, and workers who will build Ontario’s bright future.”

The Ontario Government is investing:

• $298,553.77 into McCormick Care Group for the McCormick Centre for Learning & Development project. This project will expand space to train 2,330 PSWs and nurses and create the first Long Term Care simulation lab in Ontario, classrooms, offices for researchers and education leaders, and training programs for competency maintenance.
• $1,425,398 into LOCAL 120 INTERNAT BROTHERHOODOF ELECTRICAL WORKERS IBEW for the Workplace Skills Development Program. The Workplace Skills Development Project comprises three streams aimed at encouraging new apprentices from underrepresented groups, providing support over the initial years of their careers, and fostering inclusive, respectful trade careers. The program addresses entry barriers through a two-week program covering basic construction job requirements and electrical training.

“Investments like these, which support vital skills training and create innovative pathways into the trades and healthcare, are essential for Ontario’s future. By empowering local organizations and expanding training opportunities across Southern Ontario, our government is helping to build a workforce that is not only skilled but ready to meet the demands of a growing economy. This funding is a testament to our commitment to ensuring every region has the tools it needs to thrive.” Said Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.

Through the SDF, the government is investing up to $1.4 billion through SDF’s Training Stream and the Capital Stream which are designed to recruit, train and upskill workers and build or upgrade training centres for the skilled trades. 

Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect approximately 600,000 workers train or upskill for careers in the trades in their local communities, including over 92,000 manufacturing workers, over 66,000 construction workers, over 36,000 PSWs and healthcare workers, and over 27,000 mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction workers.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario’s $224 million SDF Capital Stream was launched by Premier Ford in June 2023.
• People interested in participating in the programs announced today are encouraged to contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.
• The Capital Stream of the Skills Development Fund is exclusively funded by the Government of Ontario.
• The Training Stream of the Skills Development Fund is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
• As the Government of Canada has unilaterally cut over $230 million annually from Ontario’s Labour Market Transfer Agreements, which support employment and settlement service programs, Ontario continues to call for the federal government to reinstate this critical funding for Ontario workers and jobseekers.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Skills Development Fund Training Stream
• Skills Development Fund Capital Stream
• Employment Ontario: Free Programs and Services for Job Seekers, Workers and Employers
• Skilled Trades in Ontario

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