The expanded program, which is being managed by Algonquin College in Ottawa, will connect as many as 360 Indigenous youth from across the country with corporate partners to help them acquire job-ready skills in the trades.

Applications for the funding are now open, and the province aims to fund programs to support up to 2,000 people, including those traditionally under-represented in construction.

At the end of 2019, the number of new registrants in apprenticeship programs national dropped by nearly 3 percent, and the number completing their programs dropped by nearly 4 percent compared to 2018. The news looks much worse for enrolment and completion rates in 2020.

Three presenters from EllisDon spoke with OGCA president Giovanni Cautillo on a special webinar about racism in construction, and the tools the construction giant has put in place since a number of racist incidents occurred on one of its Toronto sites in the summer.

The money is being provided through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rapid Housing Initiative, and will be used to build more than 100 supportive housing units.