Over $74 million in funding available for employers to build, expand and retrofit training facilities for workers
The Ontario government has officially launched the second round of its Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream.
Under the program, over $74 million in funding is available for employers to build, expand and retrofit training facilities for workers in the trades, including construction, manufacturing, technology and health care.
“Our government has an ambitious plan to build Ontario – from new housing that families can call home, to highways and public transit connecting our communities, to clean energy projects powering our economy,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “With a new, second round of our Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, we are going to kick Ontario’s training capacity into high-gear, training over one million workers for in-demand careers in every corner of Ontario.”
Previously, Ontario announced it is investing $260 million through the SDF Training Stream to connect workers with high-paying jobs and tackle the province’s labour shortage.
Building on the success of the SDF Capital Stream announced in 2023, Ontario opened a second round on Nov. 29 with an enhanced, streamlined application process that includes a new SEED pathway to help with the upfront costs of developing construction proposals, such as design drawings and technical plans.
This addresses the needs of businesses and training providers who may lack the in-house capacity to develop complex construction plans, according to the government.
Also, the Capital Stream will now also accept funding proposals all year round, which enables faster application reviews.
The improved application process allows interested organizations to apply year-round through Transfer Payment Ontario. Inquiries can be sent to: [email protected]. Organizations that are interested in submitting a proposal for either the SEED or GROW pathways will be able to review the SDF Capital Stream application guidelines at https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/en/dataset/on00540.
Stakeholders welcomed the new funding from the Ontario government.
“Opening a second application stream for training centres is key to a strong training and apprenticeship system and we look forward to the opportunity to partner to increase our training space in Ontario,” said James Hannah, president, Ontario Ironworkers District Council.
He also noted that ironworkers have benefitted from the SDF Capital Stream, and “partnering with our government to expand our training space at Local 759 in Thunder Bay will grow our training opportunities and support the needs of our employers”.
"The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario has seen the positive impact Skills Development Funding has had under the Ontario government and today’s announcement of the Capital Stream will allow the expansion and growth of our many training centres across the province, supporting the training and advancement of our workforce to meet industry demand,” said Marc Arsenault, business Manager, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario
The funding will allow IUOE, Local 793 “to offer even more young people a direct route into a secure, well-paid career as an operating engineer,” said Mike Gallagher, business manager of the group.
Since its launch in 2023, Ontario’s SDF Capital Stream has been supporting renovation and construction projects that aim to help almost 250,000 workers train for in-demand sectors.
In October, Ontario announced it is making an investment worth over $1 million dollars to support women in building carpentry and entrepreneurship careers.
