The Government of Ontario has provided more than $700,000 in funding to a community organization in Brantford to help 60 job seekers find work in construction.

Construct Your Career is a project created by SkillsAdvance Ontario. It provides hands-on technical training to prepare participants for entry level roles and help them transition to paid construction jobs.

Brantford’s St. Leonard’s Community Services is working in partnership with Conestoga College, Brant Skills Centre and local employers to run the program.

"We are excited to deliver the Construct Your Career program," said Malcolm Whyte, Director of Employment Services at St. Leonard's Community Services. "It will provide local job seekers with the skills required to start a career in the construction sector and support our local employers in identifying skilled labour to fill key employment roles within their businesses. The construction sector is an important part of our local economy and provides high quality employment opportunities, this program will ensure we are giving job seekers the skills required to succeed."

Participants will receive free essential skills training in key areas like math and communication skills, employment readiness training and technical training in carpentry, plumbing and electrical. This knowledge will allow participants to enter the construction sector in entry level roles and in some cases start a path towards completing an apprenticeship in the construction sector.

“The construction sector and the skilled trades offer solid career opportunities,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why we’re supporting training initiatives that help people prepare for good jobs as we carefully reopen the economy.”

The program launches August 31 and will include technical skills training, soft skills training to succeed in the new work environment and employment services to help trainees find a work placement and ultimately a job. The program closes on March 31, 2021

St. Leonard's Community Services will host a community event on August 12 to help promote the project, recruit participants, and collect tool donations.