The federal government is investing nearly $9 million to train 2,000 Canadian sheet metal workers in green building practices as Canada faces a growing shortage of skilled trades workers.
The funding will go to Canada’s Building Trades Unions to develop and deliver training for both unionized and non-unionized sheet metal apprentices and journeypersons. The program aims to prepare workers for construction jobs in a low-carbon economy.
Addressing skilled trades shortage
John Zerucelli, Secretary of State for Labour, announced the funding on Monday. The investment comes through the Union Training and Innovation Program’s Sustainable Jobs stream, part of the government’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy.
Canada is projected to face more than 410,000 job openings in construction trades by 2033, including 189,000 openings due to retirement, according to the government.
Expanded funding for apprenticeship training
Budget 2025 proposes a $75 million expansion of the Union Training and Innovation Program over three years to boost union-based apprenticeship training in Red Seal trades.
The Sustainable Jobs stream is expected to support approximately 29,000 workers in Red Seal trades over five years starting in 2025-2026. Since 2017, the program has supported over 145,000 participants, including 28,813 in 2023-2024.
Construction workforce needs
The government has committed to doubling the pace of housing construction from 250,000 units annually to 500,000. The federal government provides nearly $1 billion annually in apprenticeship support through loans, project funding, tax credits and deductions, and Employment Insurance benefits.
“Unionized skilled tradespeople are driving Canada’s transition to a stronger, more resilient economy, and today’s announcement gives our members the power to lead it,” said Sean Strickland, executive director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions.
