The Ontario government has announced a significant investment of over $6 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to support the training of more than 1,000 carpenters in Vaughan and across the province.
This funding is part of a broader initiative, bringing the total investment in skills development through the SDF to nearly $1.1 billion.
“Our plan to keep rebuilding Ontario’s economy starts with investing in workers so they can find better jobs with bigger paycheques right here in our province,” said Premier Doug Ford. He highlighted the dual benefits of providing workers with necessary skills and ensuring employers have a steady supply of qualified carpenters to meet the demands of growing businesses.
The projects aim to address the approximately 1,200 carpentry vacancies across Ontario by training over 1,000 jobseekers in fields where there are acute labor shortages.
The Carpenters’ Regional Council (CRC) will manage the first project, receiving over $5.5 million to train over 750 jobseekers and apprentices. This project will combine on-the-job training with in-class learning, including preparation for the Certificate of Qualification Red Seal exam.
The second project, led by the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades (CCAT), will receive $894,824 to upskill 312 jobseekers in carpentry skills related to formwork and scaffolding, which are essential in non-residential construction.
In 2023, there were 36,600 carpenters employed in Ontario, making it one of the largest construction trades in the province. Through the SDF, Ontario has supported training and upskilling programs for nearly 600,000 workers since its launch in 2021, including over 66,000 construction workers.
Nicole Ross, Executive Director of the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades, expressed gratitude for the continued support through the SDF, which she said has been instrumental in supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople. “This investment will help recruit, retain and employ the apprentices that will build the future of our province,” Ross said.
Adam Bridgman, Director of Training at the Carpenters’ Regional Council, echoed this sentiment, noting the positive outcomes of previous programs supported by the SDF.
“The support these programs have garnered has led to over 500 new workers starting an apprenticeship and over 250 existing apprentices challenging their Red Seal exam with confidence,” Bridgman said.