Funding will help nearly 200 jobseekers gain the skills and hands-on experience needed for rewarding, in-demand careers in the skilled trades
The Ontario government is investing more than $6 million to expand apprenticeship pathways and modernize skilled trades training in the Hamilton area. Through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program, Apprenticeship Capital Grant and Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, the province is supporting eight local organizations that will help nearly 200 people prepare for in-demand jobs in the skilled trades and ensure apprentices train with the modern equipment and technology used on today’s jobsites. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is helping more workers gain the skills needed to land rewarding careers in the skilled trades and ensure Ontario has the workforce it needs to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure the province needs.
“Creating more opportunity in the skilled trades starts with giving workers the training and experience employers are looking for,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Through these investments, we’re helping more workers in Hamilton transition into good-paying careers, supporting employers facing economic pressures and strengthening the industries that will drive Ontario’s future prosperity. “
The organizations funded today include:
- Mohawk College is receiving more than $2.6 million to support skilled trades training, including $1.89 million through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to modernize electrical, carpentry, automotive and millwright training at its Stoney Creek campus, $483,252 to purchase new electrical training equipment and $265,699 through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 15 sheet metal workers with hands-on learning, certifications and paid work placements.
- YWCA Hamilton is receiving $1,854,571 through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 54 participants, primarily women and youth, for careers in the automotive service technician, autobody and welding trades.
- Ironworkers Local 736 is receiving more than $948,000 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant and Skills Development Fund Capital Stream to build a new 7,000-square-foot training facility, purchase modern training equipment, including overhead cranes, and upgrade existing equipment so apprentices train with the same technology used by employers in the field. This investment will support an additional 75 trainees over the next five years.
- YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford is receiving $330,345 through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 20 participants, primarily youth, through a Truck and Coach Technician program that includes Level 1 training and employment-readiness supports.
- John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington and Area is receiving $321,930 through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to support 15 participants in machinist and millwright training. The program focuses on individuals facing barriers to employment, including justice-involved participants, and provides technical training, certifications and work placements.
- United Association 67 Technical Trades Academy is receiving $59,263 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to upgrade a welding machine used in its apprenticeship program, helping apprentices develop skills using current industry-standard technologies.
- Canadian Elevator Industry Educational Program is receiving $59,083 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to purchase modern equipment such as power tools, torque wrenches and safety-related hand tools, as well as new digital and hands-on learning equipment that supports workers training for careers in elevator construction and maintenance.
- Finishing Trades Institute of Ontario is receiving $52,511 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to purchase a new industrial sandblaster, giving apprentices hands-on experience in surface preparation, rust and contaminant removal and protective coating applications using the same equipment and techniques found in today’s industrial painting workplaces.“
“Amid global economic uncertainty, Ontario’s colleges are strengthening our homegrown pipeline of skilled trades workers that build and protect Ontario,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Through these investments, our government is ensuring that apprentices have access to the hands-on training and modern equipment they need to get good-paying jobs in Hamilton’s booming skilled trades sectors.”
Together, these investments will help create more pathways into good-paying skilled trades jobs by expanding access to apprenticeship training and ensuring training providers have the facilities and equipment needed to prepare workers for careers in high-demand sectors, including construction, manufacturing, automotive and industrial trades.
Modernizing training facilities and expanding access to the skilled trades is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a highly skilled workforce ready to meet growing demand and keep Ontario resilient into the future. Through its $236 billion plan to build, the government is delivering critical infrastructure projects that communities rely on while connecting more people to stable, good-paying careers.
Learn more at: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007846/ontario-investing-more-than-6-million-to-protect-and-train-workers-in-hamilton