KITCHENER — The Ontario government has made more funding announcements through the Skills Development Fund in both Mississauga and Waterloo Region to the tune of $35.9 million for various organizations.
Over $12.9 million is being invested through the SDF’s Training Stream to help over 50,000 people in Waterloo Region prepare for jobs in high-demand sectors, including construction, manufacturing, skilled trades, education and health innovation, explains a release.
This comes after the province announced $23 million through for more than 4,200 people in Mississauga.
The Mississauga recipients are as follows:
- Ontario Masonry Training Centre in Mississauga is receiving $1.11 million to train workers in brick, stone and masonry trades through flexible, hands-on learning.
- Achēv is receiving $677,863 to provide 132 participants (including women and recent immigrants) entering senior care roles with accelerated training and employment supports, and $509,772 for the Empowering Youth-Futures in Trades Project to train 30 youth in the machinist and millwright trades in partnership with Humber College.
- The Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association of Ontario is receiving $2.49 million to train and upskill 177 participants and engage 1,500 youth in aerospace careers.
- Bothwell-Accurate Inc. is receiving $2.5 million to train and upskill 235 construction workers in trades, safety, equipment operation and managerial training across Mississauga and Toronto.
- Canadian Association of Women in Construction is receiving $460,000 to provide 100 women in the construction industry with targeted training and resources.
- Canadian Flatbeds Ltd. is receiving $600,000 to provide 150 truck drivers in Milton with simulator-based safety and cargo handling training.
- Closing the Gap Healthcare Group Inc. is receiving $2.41 million to train 125 participants, primarily from underrepresented groups, for in-demand careers in home and community care through the Home Support Worker program, which includes paid clinical placements and guaranteed employment following successful completion.
- Concrete Ontario is receiving $149,800 to develop standardized training materials for concrete delivery professionals, which include safety, environmental practices and low-carbon techniques, with a focus on increasing participation from women, youth and Indigenous people.
- The National Electrical Trade Council is receiving $2.88 million to train and upskill 550 apprentices and journeypersons in advanced electrical trades using modern technology and virtual reality.
- The Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust Fund is receiving $2.65 million to train 95 participants in the network cabling specialist trade through classroom instruction and paid on-the-job training.
- Ontario Harness Horse Association is receiving $2.36 million to train 160 participants for in-demand careers in the equine industry.
- The Ontario Road Builders’ Association is receiving $1.83 million to provide 200 participants with training to enhance workforce readiness and upskilling for careers in road construction and infrastructure, followed by paid job placements.
- The Pinball Clemons Foundation is receiving $1.61 million to support 200 youth through mentorship, micro-credential training and job placements following graduation.
- Sovereign Construction Management Limited is receiving $750,000 to provide 500 participants with hands-on training and job placement support in careers that include construction, civil engineering, transport and heavy equipment operation.
The Waterloo Region recipients are as follows:
- The AirBoss Rubber Solutions manufacturing facility in Kitchener is receiving $829,000 to upskill workers with training in forklift operation and other key skills.
- The Canadian Tooling & Machining Association is receiving $2.25 million to deliver experiential work placements in the precision metalworking industry, including youth from underrepresented groups.
- Blue Branch is receiving $1.66 million to train youth and newcomers in modular housing construction through a six-week program in Cambridge.
- Medical Innovation Xchange is receiving $1.5 million to upskill participants in the life science and innovation sectors through hands-on training, mentorship and lab experience in partnership with the University of Waterloo.
- The Grand Valley Construction Association is receiving $1.49 million to provide participants in Waterloo, Brant and Wellington with safety training and professional development followed by job placements.
- Knowledgehook is receiving $1.47 million to improve math skills for students and educators from kindergarten to Grade 12.
- Delta Elevator Company Ltd. is receiving $1.15 million to enhance the Elevating Devices Mechanic Apprenticeship with advanced electrical training for apprentices.
- Advance Millwrights Inc. is receiving $1 million to help staff achieve Canadian Welding Bureau and Technical Standards and Safety Authority certifications.
- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 804 is receiving $832,000 to support new apprentices through classroom instruction, certifications and mentored job placements in the Waterloo area.
- Christian Labour Association of Canada is receiving $723,600 to expand its Group Sponsorship Grant program, helping new apprentices and employers across nine skilled trades.
Since its launch in 2021, Ontario has invested $1.5 billion through the SDF Training Stream and Capital Stream to help train more than one million workers for in-demand careers, the province reports.
