Skills Ontario Supports Critical Skilled Trades Investment in the 2026 Ontario Budget

March 27, 2026

— Skills Ontario welcomes the 2026 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, released today by the Ontario Government and Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy, and applauds the continued commitment to investing in skilled trades, technologies, and workforce development.

Skills Ontario was pleased to see the government maintain and strengthen its support for skilled trades promotion, education and training—an essential pillar for Ontario’s economic resilience and future prosperity.

“It is essential that we continue to promote and develop skilled trades and technology careers for our future workforce,” said Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario. “Given the economic challenges and pressures Ontario is facing, sustained investment in these critical sectors is more important than ever.”

Skills Ontario also welcomed the government’s continued investments in post-secondary education, particularly in Ontario’s college sector, a key partner in delivering skilled trades and technical training across the province.

“Skills Ontario has consistently called for increased funding for the college sector, recognizing the vital role colleges play in training Ontario’s skilled workforce,” added Howcroft. “We are encouraged to see additional investment in this year’s budget. While there is still more work to be done, this funding represents a meaningful step in the right direction and reinforces the importance of colleges as a cornerstone of Ontario’s skilled trades system.”

Skills Ontario applauds the government’s commitment to helping more Ontarians access rewarding careers in skilled trades and technologies, including the following investments outlined in the 2026 Budget:

• $64.2 million over three years to create up to 4,000 new training seats each year for apprentices, improving access to in class training and covering $10 per day Level 1 classroom fees.
• An additional $6.4 billion investment in the post-secondary education sector over four years, increasing annual operating funding to $7 billion, further strengthening Ontario’s colleges and universities.
• $5.5 million in 2026–27 for the Women’s Economic Leadership and Legacy (WELL) Fund, creating more opportunities for women to gain skills, advance their careers, and step into leadership roles.

Skills Ontario looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Ontario Government, the college sector, industry partners, and communities across the province to inspire, educate, and support the next generation of skilled trades and technology professionals.