Ontario Investing $1,624,213 to Train Workers in Toronto

Skills Development Fund investing in providing a physical space for the training of machinery operators and addressing skilled trades shortages by creating a digital platform targeting prospective apprentices and their influencers, aiming to dispel misconceptions about trades careers.

TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $1,624,213 through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) in provide a physical space for the training of machinery and equipment operators in Toronto for in-demand careers in the skilled trades. This latest round of funding brings Ontario’s total 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.”

In partnership with the Labourer’s International Union of North America Local 506, the Ontario government is investing $623,083 to provide a physical space for the training of machinery and equipment operators, and $1,001,130 to address skilled trades shortages by creating a digital platform targeting prospective apprentices and their influencers, aiming to dispel misconceptions about trades careers.

“Ontario’s investment in LiUNA’s mission to build a training facility is creating a dedicated space for machinery and equipment operators to develop essential hands-on skills that are critical to our workforce and economy,” said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. “This commitment also extends to a new digital platform aimed at breaking down misconceptions about skilled trades, encouraging more people to explore these rewarding career opportunities.”

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.

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