Ontario Invests in New Training Centre for Construction Workers

The Ontario government has announced an investment of over $26 million to construct a new training centre at LiUNA Local 183's skilled trades training campus in Vaughan. This funding is part of the province's $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, which aims to support the training of more than one million workers across Ontario.

Once completed, the new training centre is expected to enable LiUNA 183 to train nearly 50,000 additional workers, effectively doubling its current training capacity to almost 100,000 workers. The centre will focus on in-demand careers in construction, including roles such as bricklayers, heavy equipment operators, and concrete finishers.

As part of this project, LiUNA 183 plans to build a new industrial workshop and classrooms on its Vaughan campus, which will provide both hands-on and in-class training. Additionally, the existing union hall will be renovated to accommodate the increased number of new workers and apprentices.

According to David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, this initiative is crucial as many experienced tradespeople are expected to retire in the coming years. The government aims to transfer skills and expertise from seasoned workers to the next generation of students.

LiUNA 183's new training centre exemplifies the Ontario government's collaboration with labour organizations and local entities to enhance training facilities for skilled trades. This investment is part of a broader strategy to address the growing demand for skilled workers in Ontario, where over 1.3 million individuals were employed in skilled trades-related occupations in 2023. The province anticipates needing more than 500,000 additional skilled trades workers over the next decade.