Ontario Investing Up to $260 Million to Train Workers
August 8, 2024
Applications now open for largest round of Skills Development Fund to train workers in manufacturing, construction and technology
The Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream opened on July 29, with up to an additional $260 million available, the biggest funding round since the Fund launched in 2021. Building on the success of the previous four rounds, the fifth round will help tackle Ontario’s labour shortage by connecting jobseekers with employers, allowing them to begin rewarding careers in in-demand sectors such as manufacturing, construction and technology.
“Under Premier Ford, our government has revived our province’s manufacturing and construction sectors – and the key to our success is Ontario’s workers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Today, our government launches the fifth round of our Skills Development Fund, with up to $260 million available in funding – making this the largest round yet and the biggest investment in skills training in Ontario’s history. We are calling on Ontario’s business and labour communities and everyone with an interest in training workers to submit their proposals and help us build Ontario.”
Beginning today, employers, employment service and training providers, labour unions, business and industry organizations, municipalities, hospitals, Indigenous Band offices, Indigenous skills and employment training agreement holders, service system managers and other community organizations eligible for funding should submit their proposals through Transfer Payment Ontario. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until October 4, 2024.
This latest round of funding 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 fill rewarding jobs in in-demand sectors in their communities.
Quick Facts
- Inquiries on how to apply to the SDF Training Stream should be addressed to skillsdevelopmentfund@ontario.ca.
- SDF has 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.
- Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has helped almost 600,000 workers train for in-demand sectors, including over 66,000 construction workers, over 92,000 manufacturing workers and over 36,000 personal support workers and health care workers.
- The SDF Training Stream is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Quotes
“The Skills Development Fund (SDF) is an important initiative that helps address Ontario’s labour shortage in the skilled trades. For CWB Group, it has been instrumental in helping us launch our Welder Competency Assessment and Skills Training (WCAST) program. This program is designed to support underrepresented groups who want to upgrade their welding skills and launch a meaningful career in Ontario’s welding industry. With the support of the SDF, we can continue helping a variety of valuable skilled workers enter Ontario’s workforce.”
– Bill Gwynne
Vice President, Business Development, CWB Group
“Support Ontario Youth knows firsthand the vital role of the Skills Development Fund under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford and Minister Piccini. This unprecedented investment of up to $260 million will be pivotal in addressing the province’s labour shortage and connecting workers with in-demand jobs. By providing essential resources for cutting-edge technology and training, we are igniting the passion of young and new talent and preparing them for the promising opportunities in the skilled trades and beyond. This initiative is essential for building a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of a growing and innovative sector. Support Ontario Youth looks forward to continuing to collaborate with government and industry partners to ensure that Ontario remains at the forefront of economic growth and development.”
– Melanie Winter
Executive Director of Support Ontario Youth
“The Skills Development Fund plays an important role in helping skilled newcomers overcome barriers to employment, restart their careers, and contribute their skills to Ontario. Last year, with the support of the Skills Development Fund, Windmill supported the upskilling and labour market integration of over one thousand skilled immigrants and refugees across the province. We are pleased to see the program renewed for an additional year.”
– Claudia Hepburn
CEO, Windmill Microlending
“The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario is a proud recipient of Skills Development Funding that has allowed us to grow and expand programs to attract more Ontarians to consider a career in the skilled trades including more women and diverse youth through Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen and Tomorrow’s Trades. These investments have allowed us to work closely with industry partners to develop an innovative model to better coordinate workforce preparation for upcoming major projects – that is, recruiting new people to the industry – to meet demand.”
– Marc Arsenault
Business Manager of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario
“The Oaks Revitalization Association (ORA) has significantly impacted the lives of many individuals from marginalized and equity-deserving communities through the Skills Development Fund. By offering essential training in the skilled trades sector, this program not only empowers participants with the skills required for meaningful employment but also meets the urgent need for skilled labour in Ontario. Due to the funding through the Skills Development Fund, we have successfully reduced recidivism, providing individuals with a sustainable path forward. This initiative is instrumental in fostering a stronger, more inclusive province, thereby contributing to the economic growth and development of our communities.”
– Mark Tenaglia
Executive Director, The Oaks Revitalization Association
“The Skills Development Fund monies are providing the OGCA with the development of bridging programs that more quickly acclimate new graduates and new-comers to Canada who have obtained an education as a Project Coordinator and want to be a Project Manager in construction. Additionally, these monies are helping to create an upskilling program that allows contractors to identify and assess existing workers, regardless of background, who would be good candidates for Site Supervisors positions. The OGCA would like to thank the Government for the Skills Development Funding program and we want to communicate that when you allow a solution for an industry to be developed by that industry, you will get profound effects.”
– Giovanni Cautillo
President, Ontario General Contractors Association
“As a previous recipient of the Skills Development Fund (SDF), Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto is thrilled of the recent unprecedented investments announced for SDF round 5. This is a much-needed initiative to tackle the labour shortage and to support building a resilient, innovative and skilled workforce. We have seen first-hand the impact of SDF through previous rounds of funds where we successfully trained and upskilled over 600 newcomer women, connected them to meaningful career opportunities while also supporting hundreds of employers from various industries addressing their workforce needs and connecting them to newcomer and global talent.”
– Sara Asalya
Executive Director, Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto
“The Skills Development Fund has been transformative for our Soldiers in Tech program, providing veterans and their spouses with essential skills and promising career advancements. This crucial initiative not only aligns with our mission but also catalyzes growth and innovation in the Ontario tech industry while supporting the mental health and well-being of our participants. Continued support from this fund ensures we can expand our reach and amplify our efforts, creating even more opportunities for those who have served our country.”
– Jennifer Grose
Co-founder & VP of Fund Development
“JVS Toronto’s START Project is empowering individuals with international experience in skilled trades to participate in comprehensive training and apply for and obtain professional licensure in Ontario. Funding from the Skills Development Fund is enabling these individuals to significantly enhance their employment prospects, while addressing the high-demand for licensed skilled tradespeople and contributing to a more robust and skilled workforce.”
– Allison Steinberg
CEO, JVS Toronto
“We applaud the government for making this investment in the Skills Development Fund. As a non-profit organization serving thousands of job seekers annually, we see firsthand the transformative impact of SDF on the lives of Ontarians. We see people from diverse backgrounds learning about, entering and thriving in high demand sectors, and we see employers thrilled to have a new pipeline of trained candidates for their vacant positions. Thank you, Minister Piccini and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development for your continued commitment to drive innovative workforce solutions through SDF.”
– Kristin Morrison
CEO, The Career Foundation
“The Skills Development Fund continues to pave the way forward by investing and advancing opportunities in skilled trades while removing barriers, strengthening retention and empowering growth through collaboration. With support of the Skills Development Fund, including capitol grant funding for our training centres, LiUNA actively promotes opportunities through strong partnership for a safe, skilled and diverse workforce which has seen a significant uptake in apprenticeship registrations including women in trades, indigenous partnerships and youth at risk. We look forward to continue working with Minister Piccini and the Ford Government to build a pathway forward for Ontario’s current and future skilled workforce.”
– Joseph Mancinelli
Canadian Director & International Vice President of LiUNA
Related Story
Ontario Investing Up to $260 Million in New Funding to Train Workers
The Ontario government is investing up to an additional $260 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to tackle the province’s labour shortage and connect Ontario workers with high-paying jobs in their communities. This will be the largest round of funding since the SDF Training Stream was launched in 2021 and brings Ontario’s total investment through the Fund to up to $1.4 billion. The government is also investing over $7.2 million through a previous round of SDF to train nearly 3,300 workers in the Kitchener area and across Ontario.
