Ontario Investing $1 Billion in Skills Development Fund to Protect Workers
May 26, 2025
The Ontario provincial government is expanding its Skills Development Fund (SDF) by nearly $1 billion over the next three years, for a total of $2.5 billion. This funding will help train and reskill Ontario workers, including those directly impacted by layoffs resulting from tariffs and ensure they have the necessary support to find good-paying jobs and help strengthen Ontario’s economy.
To help Ontario workers gain in-demand skills and practical hands-on experience, the government is expanding the Skills Development Fund by $955 million over three years starting in 2025–26.
This includes $705 million in new funding through the upcoming 2025 Ontario Budget to train more workers through the SDF Training Stream, building on the additional $100 million announced in January 2025. These funds will support more projects that will help build Ontario and protect workers and jobs in industries expected to face pressures from U.S. tariffs, including manufacturing and health care.
Through the upcoming 2025 Ontario Budget, the government is also providing $150 million over three years starting in 2025–26 to support increased demand in the SDF Capital Stream. This investment will help more organizations build, expand and retrofit their training facilities to deliver better training programs and help more workers get better jobs and bigger paycheques.
The province is protecting Ontario’s workers against U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty. These new investments through the Skills Development Fund brings the total SDF funding commitment to $2.5 billion, continuing to demonstrate the government’s support for major industries and sectors while training the workers needed to build and strengthen Ontario’s economy.
More information about the government’s plan to protect Ontario, grow our economy and make Ontario the most competitive jurisdiction in the G7 to invest, will be included in the 2025 Ontario Budget.
