Manitoba is putting $215,000 toward a new tower crane training facility to address skilled labour shortages in construction and manufacturing sectors.
Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses announced the funding Tuesday, saying the investment will help create more opportunities for workers to upgrade their skills while helping businesses find qualified employees.
“We are putting Manitobans to work building One Manitoba with good-paying jobs in the skilled trades,” said Moses. “This investment will create more opportunities for workers to level up their skills and for businesses to find the highly skilled workers they need to grow.”
The province forecasts 46 job openings for crane operators over the next five years.
Training facility to open this fall
The funding will support construction of a foundation base and tower crane installation at a new training facility being built by the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Manitoba Inc. The investment will allow tower crane operators to complete training as early as this fall.
Jordan James, executive director of OETIM, said the non-profit organization depends on government and industry partnerships to deliver specialized training programs.
“This addition to our training capabilities allows us to safely train Manitobans, in Manitoba, to the highest standards for in-demand jobs that are needed to build our province,” said James.
Industry support for workforce development
Marc Lafond, business manager for Operating Engineers of Manitoba Local 987, praised the government’s investment in apprenticeship training.
“We commend the Manitoba government for investing in apprenticeship and our future workforce,” said Lafond. “A thriving economy always is synonymous to having cranes on the horizon and having safe and qualified people at their controls is paramount.”
Tower and mobile crane operators work in both construction and manufacturing industries. The province says investing in training infrastructure will help ensure adequate worker supply for future job openings.
The training facility represents part of Manitoba’s broader commitment to expand apprenticeship training opportunities across the province.