Ontario Government Invests $4 Million in Training Projects for Almost 500 Workers

Strategic Insights -

The Ontario government is providing over $4 million in funding to six training projects in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas, aimed at preparing nearly 500 workers for various positions in the construction, manufacturing, mining, and transportation sectors. The projects, focused on electrical construction, driver education, construction craft worker trade, Red Seal carpentry apprenticeships, welding training, and industrial and construction sectors training, will receive funding recipients, including IBEW Local 402 Training and Education Centre, Behind the Wheel, LiUNA Local 607, Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education, Ironworkers Local 759, and Millwright Local 1151.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ontario government is investing $4 million in six training projects to help nearly 500 workers access better training and preparation for positions in the construction, manufacturing, mining, and transportation sectors.
  • IBEW Local 402 Training and Education Centre is receiving $805,182 to train aspiring electricians through in-class and on-the-job training in electrical construction and maintenance, with a focus on heavy industrial and mining sectors in Northwestern Ontario.
  • Behind the Wheel is receiving $960,190 to provide participants with ministry-approved driver education (G1, G2, G) and train and certify three Indigenous driving instructors to support sustainable driver training in First Nations communities.
  • LiUNA Local 607 is receiving $920,825 to train more women, particularly Indigenous women, for careers through the Construction Craft Worker trade, with hands-on training in framing, drywall, roofing and more.
  • Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education is receiving $863,460 to provide Red Seal carpentry apprenticeships and heavy-duty equipment technician training to Indigenous participants from six remote First Nations communities.
  • Ironworkers Local 759 is receiving $530,755 to deliver two six-month welding training cohorts, doubling the training facility's capacity and equipping it with six new welding booths and modern tools.
  • Millwright Local 1151 is receiving $186,130 to provide in-house training in the industrial and construction sectors, supporting certifications like Working at Heights and recruitment of Indigenous trades workers through the Introduction to Millwright (ITM) project.

Statistics:

  • $4,047,014 - Total funding provided by the Ontario government to the six training projects.
  • 499 - Number of workers targeted by the training projects.
  • $1,430,525 - Total funding allocated to IBEW Local 402 Training and Education Centre, Behind the Wheel, and LiUNA Local 607 for electrical training, driver education, and construction craft worker trade training, respectively.
  • 5 - Number of remote First Nations communities where Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education will provide Red Seal carpentry apprenticeships and heavy-duty equipment technician training.
  • 6 - Number of new welding booths and modern tools to be installed at Ironworkers Local 759's training facility.

Sources:

  • Government of Ontario: "Ontario Government Invests in Training Projects to Help Workers Prepare for Good-Paying Jobs"
  • IBEW Local 402 Training and Education Centre: "Apprenticeship Training"
  • Behind the Wheel: "Driver Education and Training"
  • LiUNA Local 607: "Construction Craft Worker Trade Training"
  • Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education: "Red Seal Carpentry Apprenticeships and Heavy-Duty Equipment Technician Training"
  • Ironworkers Local 759: "Welding Training Cohorts"
  • Millwright Local 1151: "Industrial and Construction Sectors Training"