The federal government is investing nearly $20 million to train more than 8,000 carpentry and millwright workers across Canada in green construction technologies and advanced rigging techniques.
John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), announced the funding for two organizations: the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and the Carpenters’ Regional Council. The money comes from the Union Training and Innovation Program’s Sustainable Jobs stream.
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America will receive funding to deliver virtual reality training on rigging and hoisting to more than 4,000 journeypersons and apprentice industrial mechanic millwrights across Canada.
Training hubs for mass timber construction
The Carpenters’ Regional Council will use its funding to provide access to 10 training hubs at United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners facilities nationwide. The program will train 4,000 journeyperson and apprentice carpenters in installing, repairing and maintaining building envelope systems using new green technologies.
The training focuses on skills needed for mass timber construction and other sustainable building methods, according to the government.
“Through the UBC Sustainable Jobs Mass Timber Project, we’re ensuring Canada’s workers have the training needed to build infrastructure and housing quickly and sustainably with mass timber construction,” said Jason Rowe, district vice president of UBC Canadian District.
Addressing skilled trades shortage
The investment responds to projected labour shortages in construction trades. The government estimates more than 410,000 job openings will emerge in construction skilled trades by 2033, including 189,000 due to retirement.
The Union Training and Innovation Program Sustainable Jobs stream is expected to support approximately 29,000 workers in Red Seal trades over five years starting in 2025-2026. Since 2017, the program has supported more than 145,000 participants, including 28,813 in 2023-2024.
Budget 2025 proposed a $75 million expansion of the Union Training and Innovation Program over three years to increase union-based apprenticeship training in Red Seal trades.
The government has committed to doubling the pace of housing construction from 250,000 units annually to 500,000. The federal government provides nearly $1 billion annually in apprenticeship support through loans, project funding, tax credits and deductions, and Employment Insurance benefits.
