The federal government is investing more than $75 million to support skills training for over 10,000 Canadian workers in industries adapting to a low-carbon economy.
The funding, announced Friday by Employment Minister Steven MacKinnon, will support eight projects across Canada through the Sustainable Jobs Training Fund. The initiative focuses on training workers for jobs in electric vehicle maintenance, green building retrofits, low-carbon energy, and carbon management.
Speaking at Achēv, a workforce development organization in Mississauga, MacKinnon said the funding will help ensure Canada has the skilled workforce needed to compete in the global shift toward clean energy.
“Canada needs the expertise of skilled workers,” MacKinnon said. “The projects announced today represent Canada’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and enhancing the well-being of all workers across Canada.”
The investment is part of the government’s broader push to strengthen the country’s auto sector and support a net-zero emissions economy. Canada’s electric vehicle sector alone is expected to generate significant economic growth, with the potential to create up to 400,000 jobs by 2030, according to Royal Bank of Canada.
Achēv CEO Tonie Chaltas said the organization will work with a coalition of partners, including community service agencies and colleges, to upskill more than 1,000 workers for roles in the green economy.
“With the support of funding from Employment and Social Development Canada, Achēv is proud to be working with over 500 small and medium-sized enterprises across Canada,” Chaltas said.
The announcement comes amid a projected wave of retirements across multiple industries, with an estimated 1.2 million workers expected to leave the workforce in the next three years. The Canadian government has identified skills training as a key strategy to fill labour shortages and support industries critical to economic growth.
