Training centre to increase access to apprenticeship training by up to 40%, says government
Ontario is putting a focus on building up the province’s construction workforce.
The provincial government is investing $26 million to build a new training centre at Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) 183’s skilled trades training campus in Vaughan.
The investment will help LiUNA 183 train nearly 50,000 additional construction workers. That would double their current training capacity to almost 100,000 workers, for in-demand careers in construction across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), such as bricklaying, heavy equipment operators and concrete finishing.
Ontario is making the investment through its $224-million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, which was announced by Premier Doug Ford in June 2023 and which will support the training of more than one million workers across Ontario.
“Our government is continuing to support the world-class Ontario workers who are rebuilding our province’s economy,” said Premier Doug Ford.
Previously, the Ontario government announced an investment of over $6 million through the SDF to train more than 1,000 carpenters across the province.
Skilled trades training in Ontario
LiUNA’s Vaughan skilled trades campus delivers their largest training program in Canada and offers students the opportunity to build a full-size two-storey residential home within the centre.
As part of Ontario’s new investment, LiUNA 183 will build a new industrial workshop and new classrooms on their Vaughan campus to deliver both hands-on and in-class training, as well as a renovated union hall with increased capacity for the new workers and apprentices.
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Once complete, the training centre will increase access to apprenticeship training by up to 40 per cent for people to gain new skills and train for successful jobs, including women, youth, and other underrepresented groups.
"Honouring the legacy of the giants before us and empowering our next generation of industry leaders and community builders, the Skills Development Fund Capital Stream extends beyond brick and mortar. It is about working together to invest in opportunity, invest in people and transform lives,” said Joseph Mancinelli. Canadian director & international vice president of LiUNA.
“Through our continued collaboration with the provincial government, industry and non-profit partners, we are breaking down barriers, advancing innovative training programs and building pathways for a strong, skilled and inclusive workforce that is a reflection of the vibrant communities we call home. Together, we are building, connecting and strengthening an Ontario for all."
Recently, Alberta launched the “A career to be proud of” webpage to champion apprenticeship education and emphasize the value skilled tradespeople bring to the province.
In 2023, 1.3 million people worked in skilled trades-related occupations in Ontario, and the province is expected to need over 500,000 more workers in skilled trades-related occupations over the next decade.
Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has aimed to help almost 600,000 workers train for in-demand sectors, including over 66,000 construction workers, over 92,000 manufacturing workers and over 36,000 PSWs and health-care workers.
Recently, Nova Scotia launched a new incentive program to recognize the efforts of journeypersons mentoring apprentices.