Through the Skills Development Fund (SDF), the government of Ontario is training up to 3,800 apprentices, job seekers, and journeypersons for free. The Ontario government has committed over $3.6 million to provide free training to those who want to become welders, electricians, and millwrights in the city of Hamilton.
According to Premier Doug Ford, “Our government is giving workers in Hamilton the support and skills training they need to find good-paying, in-demand jobs. By continuing to invest in our Skills Development Fund, including the brand-new SDF capital stream, we’re also helping build up Ontario’s labour force so we can support provincial businesses and attract new investment, better jobs and bigger paycheques for Ontario workers.”
According to recent reports, Ontario will require more than 100,000 skilled workers over the next decade. Ontario is currently experiencing a labour shortage. By 2025, it’s expected that one in five job openings will be in the skilled trades, and at this time there are nearly 300,000 jobs in Ontario currently unfilled.
To that end, the $3.6 million will be split between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 105, the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers (IW) Local 736, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1916 (operating as Millwright Local 1916).
Skills Development Fund Supporting Four Training Programs in Hamilton
IBEW Local 105 will receive $2.3 million for two separate training projects to assist a total of 80 underemployed or unemployed, underrepresented or disadvantaged peoples enter entry-level electrical skills and safety training. This money will also help train Red Seal electricians who are looking to obtain their welding certificate in Hamilton.
Millwright Local 1916 will receive $1 million to train 125 journey persons, apprentices, and millwrights as well as to improve its existing training centre in Hamilton, which will increase the available training space by up to 20 percent. Finally, IW Local 736 will receive $200,000 to help up to 50 women, job seekers, journeypersons, indigenous people, youth, and ironworker apprentices gain additional welding skills.
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