Applications Now Open for Next Round of Skills Development Fund
December 20, 2024
Ontario investing over $74 million through next round of Skills Development Fund Capital Stream to train workers in construction, manufacturing, technology and health care
On November 29, the Ontario government has launched the second round of its Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, with over $74 million in available funding to build, expand and retrofit training facilities for workers in the trades, including construction, manufacturing, technology and health care. Since the province launched the Skills Development Fund in 2021, Ontario is building training facilities and providing training programs that are projected to support over one million workers across the province.
“Our government has an ambitious plan to build Ontario – from new housing that families can call home, to highways and public transit connecting our communities, to clean energy projects powering our economy,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “With a new, second round of our Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, we are going to kick Ontario’s training capacity into high-gear, training over one million workers for in-demand careers in every corner of Ontario.”
Building on the success of the SDF Capital Stream announced in 2023, Ontario opened a second round on November 29, 2024, with an enhanced, streamlined application process that includes a new SEED pathway to help with the upfront costs of developing construction proposals, such as design drawings and technical plans. This addresses the needs of businesses and training providers who may lack the in-house capacity to develop complex construction plans. As a further improvement, the Capital Stream will now also accept funding proposals all year round, which enables faster application reviews.
This new funding round brings Ontario’s total investment through the Skills Development Fund to up to $1.4 billion. As Ontario continues to grow, the SDF will help ensure skilled workers are trained and ready to enter rewarding careers in in-demand sectors in the province.
Quick Facts
- SDF comprises of two streams: the Training Stream supports hiring, training and upskilling programs for jobseekers, apprentices and workers; and the Capital Stream supports upgrades or construction of training centres for the skilled trades. The total investment for both streams is to up to $1.4 billion.
- SDF Capital Stream Round 2 will open today, November 29, and will allow a continuous intake of applications. This improved application process allows interested organizations to apply year-round through Transfer Payment Ontario. Inquiries can be sent to: SDFCapitalProgram@ontario.ca.
- The new SEED pathway of the Capital Stream will help fund the development of capital plans for training facilities and will complement the already established GROW pathway that will continue to support projects to build, upgrade and expand new training infrastructure.
- Organizations that are interested in submitting a proposal for either the SEED or GROW pathways will be able to review the SDF Capital Stream application guidelines at https://forms.mgcs.gov.on.ca/en/dataset/on00540.
- Since its launch in 2023, Ontario’s SDF Capital Stream has been supporting renovation and construction projects that aim to help almost 250,000 workers train for in-demand sectors.
- The SDF Training Stream supports hiring, training and upskilling projects for jobseekers, apprentices and workers. Round 5 of the SDF Training Stream closed on October 11, 2024 and over 800 applications for funding were submitted.
- The Capital Stream of the Skills Development Fund is exclusively funded by the Government of Ontario.
Quotes
“Labour, industry and government are working in tandem to build up Ontario’s skilled workforce. Under the leadership of Minister Piccini and the Ford government, we are advancing outreach, training and mentorship programs while empowering more opportunities for women, at-risk youth, Indigenous partners and ensuring everyone has access to tools to reach their full potential. You will often hear LiUNA say that it is more than a job. This extends to a direct investment in transforming lives and empowering pathways for stronger futures. With the support of this next round of SDF we will continue to foster growth, prosperity and opportunity in our shared committed to building a stronger Ontario for all.”
– Joseph Mancinelli
International Vice President and Regional Manager of Central and Eastern Canada, LiUNA
“The Ironworkers have benefitted from the Skills Development Fund Capital Steam. Partnering with our government to expand our training space at Local 759 in Thunder Bay will grow our training opportunities and support the needs of our employers. Opening a second application stream for training centres is key to a strong training and apprenticeship system and we look forward to the opportunity to partner to increase our training space in Ontario.”
– James Hannah
President Ontario Ironworkers District Council
“The Carpenters’ Regional Council recognizes the important role that the Skills Development Fund plays in enabling the development of new training programs and facilities that will contribute to the long-term growth of Ontario’s workforce. Through the Skills Development Fund to date, we are proud to have trained thousands of carpenters that are building the critical infrastructure that Ontario will rely on for generations to come. The Carpenters’ Regional Council looks forward to continuing to deliver our industry-leading training across the province with the renewed investment of the highly successful SDF Capital Stream.”
– Tom Cardinal
Chief of Staff, Carpenters’ Regional Council
“The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario has seen the positive impact Skills Development Funding has had under the Ontario Government and today’s announcement of the Capital Stream will allow the expansion and growth of our many training centres across the province, supporting the training and advancement of our workforce to meet industry demand.”
– Marc Arsenault
Business Manager, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario
“As a union that represents more than 20,000 Operating Engineers and has invested more than $275 million in training since the 1990s, it is a pleasure to work with a government that has ambitious plans to rebuild Ontario and understands the need to develop a skilled workforce that can turn those plans into reality. With the help of this grant from the Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, our new facility will complement the training we already provide at our two world-class campuses in Oakville and Morrisburg.
It will also allow us to offer even more young people a direct route into a secure, well-paid career as an Operating Engineer. On behalf of myself and our Board of Training Trust Fund Trustees and members, I wish to thank Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini for their ongoing commitment to Local 793 as we continue to build the skilled workforce of the future.”
– Mike Gallagher
Business Manager, IUOE, Local 793
Related Story
Ontario Appoints New CEO for Skilled Trades Ontario
The Ontario government is appointing Candice White as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Skilled Trades Ontario (STO), effective November 25, 2024. Ms. White will continue to deliver on STO’s mandate to grow Ontario’s skilled trades workforce, promote the trades as a career of choice, and modernize services to Ontario’s over 1.3 million skilled tradespeople and apprentices.
