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


Changing Scene

  • EHRC Awards of Excellence Nominations

    EHRC Awards of Excellence Nominations

    October 10, 2024 The Awards of Excellence recognizes and celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of employees, leaders and teams making a positive and tangible impact on their organization while contributing to the composition of a highly skilled workforce in the electricity industry. Nominations Are you an individual or organization looking to recognize an individual leader, team… Read More…

  • New Retrofit Program Set to Accelerate Sustainable Buildings in Alberta

    New Retrofit Program Set to Accelerate Sustainable Buildings in Alberta

    October 10, 2024 The Pembina Institute is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Alberta Ecotrust Retrofit Accelerator, a new retrofit program designed to bring affordable, energy-efficient solutions to support Alberta’s building owners and managers of multi-unit residential and commercial buildings, as well as municipalities, universities, schools and hospitals. In collaboration with industry experts, practitioners,… Read More…

  • Lumen Marks Expansion of Laval Distribution Centre

    Lumen Marks Expansion of Laval Distribution Centre

    October 10, 2024 Lumen highlighted the official inauguration of their Laval Distribution Centre on LinkedIn. “On September 13th, we officially inaugurated the expansion of our Laval distribution centre! This landmark event brought together more than 3000 customers, suppliers, ministers and journalists from all over Quebec to discover our new facilities,” said the company on LinkedIn…. Read More…

  • Weidmuller Canada Unveils a New Customer Experience Center and Introduces the Innovative WOW Van for the Eastern Canada Markets

    Weidmuller Canada Unveils a New Customer Experience Center and Introduces the Innovative WOW Van for the Eastern Canada Markets

    October 10, 2024 Weidmuller Canada proudly opens its new Customer Experience Center at its headquarters in Markham, Ontario. This state-of-the-art 600 sq. ft. facility is designed to provide customers and distribution partners with an immersive, hands-on experience of Weidmuller’s latest products and solutions. Kevin Blair, National Sales Manager, expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to offer… Read More…