'Game-changer': Ontario investing $260 million in skills development

Ontario is investing $260 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to connect workers with high-paying jobs and tackle the province’s labour shortage.

This will be the largest round of funding since the SDF Training Stream was launched in 2021, pushing 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 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.”

Previously, Ontario announced it is investing $6 million through the SDF to train more than 1,000 carpenters across the province. The government also said it is investing over $4.7 million to prepare Ontarians for in-demand careers in the skilled trades. The investment will go to several projects and will help 2,318 youth, apprentices and jobseekers for future employment.

Fifth round of SDF Training Stream

Ontario will be launching the fifth round of the SDF Training Stream on July 29, 2024 and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until October 4, 2024. The goal is to address challenges for recruiting, training and upskilling workers for in-demand sectors such as manufacturing, construction and technology.

SDF comprises two streams: the Training Stream supports hiring, training, and upskilling programs for jobseekers, apprentices, and workers; and the Capital Stream supports upgrades or construction of training centres for the skilled trades.

Interested organizations can apply through Transfer Payment Ontario.

Organizations eligible for funding include employers, employment service, training providers, labour unions, community organizations, business and industry organizations, municipalities, hospitals, Indigenous Band offices, Indigenous skills and employment training agreement holders and service system managers.

The government is also investing over $7.2 million through a previous round of SDF to train nearly 3,300 workers in the Kitchener area and across Ontario. That is helping local workers and jobseekers prepare for well-paying careers in manufacturing and construction. This brings Ontario’s total investment in training for Kitchener area workers to over $20 million. These projects include:

• Canadian Tooling and Machining Association: $5,466,080 to create technical skills development opportunities for at least 3,000 high school students in manufacturing technology programs. This funding will also deliver 300 paid job placements for approximately 160 young people and create 30 new apprenticeships in the precision metalworking industry across Ontario, including tool and die makers, mould makers and computer-numerical-control (CNC) machinists.
• Grand Valley Construction Association: $1,086,058 to deliver free job-ready training for careers in construction such as painting, drywall, carpentry, roofing and masonry work, as well as health and safety training, and match participants with local employers through paid job placements. Participants will include jobseekers and people from underrepresented and vulnerable groups such as Indigenous people, newcomers, and justice-involved individuals in Waterloo, Brant and Wellington regions.
• Christian Labour Association of Canada: $723,688 to provide free training and paid job placements for workers in construction. The training will focus on the basics of construction and essential skills in health, safety and wellness. Participants will include women, Indigenous people, newcomers, young people, underrepresented people and justice-involved individuals across the province.

Over seven in 10 (71%) workers would like to update their skills more often, and 80% believe employers should invest more to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for workers, reports TalentLMS.

Stakeholders welcome funding through SDF Training Stream

A number of stakeholders welcomed the new investments from Ontario, including Robert Cattle, executive director of the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA).

“Through the Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities program, we have been able to offer experiential work placements for job seekers and facilitate the delivery of new machinery to high schools across Ontario. These efforts are pivotal in fostering the growth and sustainability of our industry while enhancing educational opportunities for students.”

Karen Renkema, vice president of Ontario for the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA), recognized the importance of the SDF as a whole.

"The Skills Development Fund has been a game changer for the construction industry,” she said. “The funds have enabled innovative training partnerships, pathways and programs that have served to attract and support many new participants into the skilled trades. PCA members are pleased to partner with CLAC, as their SDF funding allows young people the chance to explore rewarding careers in the skilled trades and assists in mentoring apprentices so they can complete and advance their pathway to becoming a licensed journeyperson."

Earlier this year, Ontario announced it is creating the Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST), building on the successful Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).