Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough says the money will fund 13 programs to help small- and medium-sized employers offer apprenticeship training.

Algonquin College, George Brown College and Mohawk College announced the launch of a four-year honours degree in Business Administration that targets the specific skills tradespeople need to grow their businesses.

Union members voted more than 77 percent in favour of ratifying a proposed new collective agreement that was presented to them on May 27.

During the four-day event, approximately 350 students and apprentices from across the country competed for the title of national champion in more than 45 skill areas – including 13 construction disciplines.

The latest Labour Force Survey data shows that all-industry seasonally adjusted employment grew by just 1,000 jobs, while the overall national unemployment rate dropped by another 0.1 percentage points to a new record low of 5.2%.