Ontario Allocates $17 Million to Train Workers in Northern Ontario

The Ontario government is allocating nearly $17 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to train over 36,000 workers in Northern Ontario. The funding aims to address labor shortages in sectors such as mining, construction, energy, and forestry. The investment includes both the Training and Capital streams of the SDF, which focus on recruiting, training, and upskilling workers, as well as building or upgrading training centers for skilled trades.

Projects funded include:

• Science North: $3,270,899 to build a new training facility for up to 35,000 youth and apprentices over five years to explore careers in mining and skilled trades.
• Sheet Metal Workers Union (SMART) Local 397: $1,071,547 to build a training center for sheet metal workers and roofers to train 760 people over five years through pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships.
• Keewaytinook Okimakanak: $1,000,000 to recruit, train, and mentor members from six First Nation communities in carpentry and other building trades.
• International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 759: $644,461 to build a new training center with welding facilities to train 150 participants in structural ironwork.
• Northern Centre for Advance Technology (NORCAT): $580,000 to deliver training programs focused on skills and safety knowledge related to careers in forestry, mining, exploration, and energy development.
• Agnico Eagle Mines Limited: $10,000,000 to train people for careers in mining, in partnership with Matachewan First Nation, Taykwa Tagamou Nation, and Moose Cree First Nation.

Applications are open for the government’s fifth round of SDF Training Stream with up to $260 million in available funding. This brings the government’s total investment to $1.4 billion to grow Ontario’s workforce for in-demand careers in skilled trades.