SUDBURY, ONT. — The Ontario government is investing more than $13 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training and Capital Streams to help over 1,000 workers in the Sudbury area prepare for jobs in the boilermaking, welding, mining and ironworking sectors.
David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development, was joined by members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 128 in Sudbury, which is receiving more than $5.7 million to purchase new equipment for their Burlington-based training centre and build a new training facility in Sudbury. This will double the union’s capacity to help more than 660 new apprentices and journeyperson, states a release. Workers will receive several safety certifications, with training focused on telehandlers and elevated work platforms.
The Ontario government is also partnering with four other organizations in the region to deliver free training programs:
- Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is receiving $5 million to deliver on-the-job training and employment for participants in mining occupations across northern Ontario.
- UBC Millwrights Local 1425 is receiving over $1 million to expand mobile welding training for participants in Sudbury, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie.
- Ironworkers Local 786 is receiving $890,587 to upgrade training equipment and expand programming for ironworkers in Sudbury.
- Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. (NORCAT) is receiving $580,000 to develop and deploy virtual reality training modules for mining, construction and forestry workers.
This brings Ontario’s total SDF investment in northern Ontario close to $146 million and is part of the government’s $2.5 billion investment through the SDF, the release adds.
