HAMILTON, ONT.— The Ontario government is investing more than $6 million to bolster apprenticeship pathways and skilled trades training in the Hamilton-area.
Through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program, Apprenticeship Capital Grant and Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, the province is supporting eight organizations that will help nearly 200 people prepare for in-demand jobs in the skilled trades, explains a release.
The organizations include:
- Mohawk College is receiving more than $2.6 million to support skilled trades training, including $1.89 million through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to modernize electrical, carpentry, automotive and millwright training at its Stoney Creek campus, $483,252 to purchase new electrical training equipment and $265,699 through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 15 sheet metal workers with hands-on learning, certifications and paid work placements.
- YWCA Hamilton is receiving $1.85 million through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 54 participants, primarily women and youth, for careers in the automotive service technician, autobody and welding trades.
- Ironworkers Local 736 is receiving more than $948,000 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant and Skills Development Fund Capital Stream to build a new 7,000-square-foot training facility, purchase modern training equipment, including overhead cranes, and upgrade existing equipment so apprentices train with the same technology used by employers in the field. This investment will support an additional 75 trainees over the next five years.
- YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford is receiving $330,345 through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 20 participants, primarily youth, through a Truck and Coach Technician program that includes Level 1 training and employment-readiness supports.
- John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington and Area is receiving $321,930 through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to support 15 participants in machinist and millwright training. The program focuses on individuals facing barriers to employment, including justice-involved participants, and provides technical training, certifications and work placements.
- United Association 67 Technical Trades Academy is receiving $59,263 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to upgrade a welding machine used in its apprenticeship program.
- Canadian Elevator Industry Educational Program is receiving $59,083 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to purchase power tools, torque wrenches and safety-related hand tools as well as new digital and hands-on learning equipment.
- Finishing Trades Institute of Ontario is receiving $52,511 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to purchase a new industrial sandblaster, giving apprentices hands-on experience in surface preparation, rust and contaminant removal and protective coating applications using the same equipment and techniques found in today’s industrial painting workplaces.
