The federal government will provide more than $3 million to the Ontario Masonry Training Centre to develop and implement a green training program for bricklayers, Employment and Social Development Canada announced Dec. 16.
The project will create a guide for the Red Seal bricklayer trade focused on modern, sustainable practices. The training will help bricklayers gain skills to refresh and adjust existing masonry buildings.
The funding comes from the Union Training and Innovation Program’s Sustainable Jobs stream under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy.
Worker impact and program expansion
Starting in 2025-2026, the Sustainable Jobs stream is expected to support approximately 29,000 workers in Red Seal trades over five years, according to the government.
Since 2017, the Union Training and Innovation Program has supported more than 145,000 participants, including 28,813 in 2023-2024.
Budget 2025 has proposed a $75 million expansion of the program over three years to boost union-based apprenticeship training in Red Seal trades.
Skilled trades workforce needs
The government estimates that by 2033, there will be more than 410,000 job openings for skilled trades in the construction sector, including 189,000 openings from retirement.
The government has committed to doubling the pace of housing construction from 250,000 units annually to 500,000 units.
Nearly $1 billion in annual apprenticeship support goes toward making trades training more accessible through loans, project funding, tax credits and deductions, and Employment Insurance benefits, according to the government.
“Canada’s unionized skilled trades are essential to meeting our national infrastructure and housing goals,” said David Stubbs, executive director of the Ontario Masonry Training Centre. “The Government of Canada’s continued investment in skilled trades training is vital to attracting the next generation of workers and ensuring today’s workforce is trained to handle the latest materials, technologies and construction practices.”
Leslie Church, parliamentary secretary to the secretaries of state for labour, for seniors, and for children and youth, made the announcement on behalf of John Zerucelli, secretary of state for labour.
