The Ontario government announced over $74 million in funding through the second round of its Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, starting November 29, to expand training infrastructure for trades in sectors including construction, manufacturing, and health care.
Additionally, nearly $5 million from the first funding round has been allocated to build a new crane training facility for 1,600 workers in Oro-Medonte, officials said.
Premier Doug Ford said the new funding aims to help workers secure well-paid jobs across the province.
“With more than $74 million committed to training and workers across the province, this new round of funding through our Skills Development Fund Capital Stream will help thousands of additional Ontario workers find better jobs and bigger paycheques,” Ford said.
This $5 million investment will support the construction of a $25 million crane training facility in Barrie, in collaboration with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). The Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) will manage the centre, which will include simulation labs, workshops, an outdoor training area, and classrooms designed to train apprentices in mobile and tower crane operation as well as heavy equipment use. The facility will aim to create a talent pipeline for Ontario’s construction industry, with a focus on jobseekers, youth, Indigenous peoples, and newcomers, officials stated.
With Ontario’s labour market facing challenges, including an expected wave of retirements among skilled tradespeople, officials see the fund as critical to preparing the next generation of trades workers. “With one in three tradespeople retiring over the coming years, we must pass on the skills and expertise from the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of workers,” said David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. He added that the fund’s continuous intake model aims to streamline the application process, allowing year-round submissions.
The new SDF Capital Stream also includes the “SEED” pathway, aimed at covering upfront costs for designing and planning construction projects, which addresses a need for smaller training organizations that may lack the resources to develop technical construction plans.
IUOE Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher said the government’s investment reflects a shared commitment to preparing Ontario’s workforce.
“This new $25 million training facility represents an investment not just in the future of IUOE Local 793, but also in the province of Ontario,” Gallagher said, adding that the centre will provide a direct pathway to secure, well-paid jobs for new tradespeople.