The Ontario government is investing more than $26 million to expand LiUNA Local 183’s skilled trades training campus in Vaughan, a move aimed at addressing the growing demand for construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The funding is part of the province’s $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, which supports the training of over one million workers across Ontario.
The new facility will nearly double the training capacity of LiUNA 183’s Vaughan campus, enabling almost 50,000 additional workers to pursue careers in the construction industry. This will bring the total number of workers trained annually at the campus to nearly 100,000. In-demand fields include bricklaying, heavy equipment operation, and concrete finishing, according to a statement from the Ontario government.
Premier Doug Ford highlighted the importance of the expansion in supporting the province’s economic recovery. “Through our new $224 million Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, our government is continuing to support the world-class Ontario workers who are rebuilding our province’s economy,” Ford said in a statement. “I’m so pleased that we are able to work with LiUNA 183 to help nearly 50,000 additional workers from across the GTA access the skills and training they need to find better jobs and bigger paycheques in the skilled trades.”
The expanded campus will include new industrial workshops, additional classrooms for hands-on and in-class training, and a renovated union hall to accommodate the increased capacity. The Vaughan campus is currently the largest of LiUNA 183’s training facilities in Canada, offering students practical experience, including the opportunity to construct full-size two-storey homes.
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini emphasized the need to pass on skills from older tradespeople to the next generation. “As a large share of experienced tradespeople are retiring over the coming years, we must transfer the skills and expertise from the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of students,” Piccini said. “That’s why we’re partnering with LiUNA 183 to train almost 100,000 new construction workers who will leverage the wisdom of experienced tradespeople to build Ontario’s bright future.”
The provincial government’s broader $1.4 billion investment in workforce training includes the SDF Capital Stream and the ongoing SDF Training Stream, which funds training for careers in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and other in-demand sectors. Since its launch in 2021, the SDF has supported training for nearly 600,000 workers, including over 66,000 in construction, the government said.
LiUNA Local 183 leaders expressed enthusiasm for the new investment. Business Manager Jack Oliveira stated, “With this investment through the Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, we will be able to double the capacity of our campus, further enhance our training facilities, and bring more young men and women into the construction industry.”
The new training centre is expected to play a key role in addressing Ontario’s projected need for over 500,000 additional workers in skilled trades-related occupations over the next decade.