The Ontario government has announced an investment of up to $260 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream. This funding, aimed at addressing the province’s labour shortage, is set to benefit workers in the manufacturing, construction, and technology sectors, it said.
This new allocation marks the largest funding round since the SDF Training Stream’s inception in 2021, bringing the total investment through the fund to $1.4 billion.
“Our government’s record investments in the Skills Development Fund are helping connect workers here in Kitchener and across the province to better jobs and bigger paycheques,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “By continuing to work for workers and make these important investments, we are also tackling Ontario’s labour shortage and bringing back good-paying jobs in manufacturing and the skilled trades.”
The announcement, made in Kitchener, also included news of over $7.2 million being invested to train nearly 3,300 workers locally and across Ontario. This brings the total investment in training for Kitchener area workers to over $20 million.
The fifth round of the SDF Training Stream will open on July 29, 2024. Organizations eligible for funding include employers, employment service providers, training providers, labour unions, community organizations, municipalities, hospitals, Indigenous Band offices, and others.
David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, emphasized the government’s focus on worker training. “Under Premier Ford, our government has revived our province’s manufacturing and construction sectors – and the key to our success is Ontario’s workers,” Piccini stated. “That’s why our government is launching the biggest round of our Skills Development Fund yet by investing up to $260 million to train even more workers across the province.”
The new funding aims to address recruitment, training, and upskilling challenges in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and technology. Specific projects funded in the Kitchener area include:
- Canadian Tooling and Machining Association: Receiving $5,466,080 to provide technical skills development for at least 3,000 high school students and 300 paid job placements, and to create 30 new apprenticeships in the precision metalworking industry.
- Grand Valley Construction Association: Awarded $1,086,058 to deliver free job-ready training for careers in construction, including painting, drywall, carpentry, roofing, and masonry work. The program will match participants with local employers through paid job placements.
- Christian Labour Association of Canada: Granted $723,688 to offer free training and paid job placements focusing on construction basics and essential skills in health, safety, and wellness.
Ontario’s SDF Training Stream, launched in 2021, has since helped almost 600,000 workers train for in-demand sectors, including over 66,000 construction workers, over 92,000 manufacturing workers, and over 36,000 personal support workers and healthcare professionals. The fifth round of funding will continue to build on these efforts, supporting both new and ongoing training initiatives across the province.
Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener – Conestoga, expressed his support for the initiative. “Waterloo Region is growing, and I am pleased that our government is supporting our workers right here in Kitchener with this $7.2 million investment through the Skills Development Fund. I know that tackling the labour shortage has been at the forefront of our minds and I see this funding as a crucial step in addressing those concerns.”
Similarly, Brian Riddell, MPP for Cambridge, noted the positive impact on his community. “The Skills Development Fund is a driving force of our province’s growth and prosperity. I look forward to seeing even more local companies benefit from the next round of funding as we remain committed to tackling our province’s labour shortage,” he said.
The Ontario government’s continued investment in worker training programs reflects a strategic effort to ensure the province’s workforce is equipped to meet the demands of its growing economy.