Ontario Investing $55 Million to Help More People Enter the Skilled Trades

Entering Skilled Trades

An additional $investment in three programs that support apprenticeship will help the next generation of skilled tradespeople access the training, equipment and facilities they need to get good jobs.

As part of a renewed Youth Jobs Strategy, new funding will be distributed over two years to two apprenticeship programs:
•    The Apprenticeship Enhancement Fund will receive an additional $23 million. This will help colleges and other institutions train more people and deliver relevant, high-quality apprenticeship programs by investing in equipment, space and technologies.
•    The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program will receive $13 million more in funding. This will help people considering careers in the trades develop their job skills and readiness to find work as apprentices through in-class training sessions and work placements.

In addition, colleges and other training organizations funded by Ontario will receive an additional $19 million over three years. This funding increase will support equipment upgrades and more lab time during in-school apprenticeship sessions.

Bolstering funding for apprenticeship programs will ensure more people have the skills needed to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and to build the modern infrastructure that will make Ontario’s economy more competitive.

Supporting a modern apprenticeship system is part of the government’s four-point economic plan for Ontario. This plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

Almost one in five new jobs in Ontario over this decade is expected to be in trades-related occupations. New annual apprenticeship registrations have grown from about 17,000 in 2002-03 to more than 28,000 in 2013-14. In 2014-15, Ontario provided grants and loans of about $164.5 million to the apprenticeship system.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Celebrating 30 Years of Innovation and Collaboration at EFC’s 2025 Conference in Niagara

    Celebrating 30 Years of Innovation and Collaboration at EFC’s 2025 Conference in Niagara

    By Luc Rodier, Chair of the Board of Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) The 2025 EFC Conference in Niagara was a landmark occasion—marking 30 years of innovation, collaboration, and collective progress in the Canadian electrical industry. Set against the symbolic backdrop of the Canadian-U.S. border, this year’s theme, Electrifying Connections, couldn’t have been more fitting. As President and… Read More…

  • Industrial Wiring Devices: A Brief Intro and How to Choose Them

    Industrial Wiring Devices: A Brief Intro and How to Choose Them

    June 9, 2025 Introduction: With the multitude of options on the market, it can be difficult to decide whether you need a pin and sleeve wiring device or a plug and connector in your industrial plant or facility. You might find your head swirling with thoughts about which option is best. Or you may not… Read More…

  • Industry Leaders Head to Quebec to Strengthen Energy and Supply Chain Resilience

    Industry Leaders Head to Quebec to Strengthen Energy and Supply Chain Resilience

    June 9, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada On June 3 and 4, a high-level delegation from Canada’s electrical and automation sector travelled to Montreal and Quebec City for a series of strategic meetings with Quebec government officials and key stakeholders. Organized by Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), this mission underscores the critical role the industry plays in advancing… Read More…

  • Electrifying Connections: A Celebration of Legacy, A Vision for the Future

    Electrifying Connections: A Celebration of Legacy, A Vision for the Future

    June 9, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada This year’s Annual Industry Conference, held against the breathtaking backdrop of Niagara Falls, Ontario, was a landmark event with more than 710 Electro-Federation Canada community members. More than just a celebration of our shared history, it was a launchpad for new ideas, future-based dialogue, and deeper connections.   The energy and… Read More…


Changing Scene