$550,000 invested in Sheridan College pre-apprenticeship programs
The provincial government announced more than $550,000 in funding for skilled trades training at Sheridan College on January 31.
The announcement was made by Premier Doug Ford alongside Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton, and Minister of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano.
The money will be invested in Sheridan College's general machinist and industrial mechanic millwright pre-apprenticeship programs. It will create placements for an additional 50 students.
"Over the next five years, one in five jobs created will be in the skilled trades," said the Premier. "We need more skilled workers to help us build the roads, transit, and infrastructure we need, both now and in the future. Young people in Brampton need to know that these are in-demand, well-paying careers, and that's exactly what we're doing with today's announcement."
The funding is part of a total investment of $20.8 million in the province’s pre-apprenticeship training program. The government is also increasing annual spending on the program by $2.5 million this year, creating an additional 200 placements in the program.
"I hear from small businesses across the province of the need for skilled tradespeople to operate and grow their business," said Sarkaria. "As our government builds the environment for job and economic growth, the skilled trades continue to be in high demand and a great career choice in Brampton and throughout Ontario. With this announcement, we're preparing our young people for the jobs of tomorrow, today."
"Ontario colleges play a vital role in preparing students for a proud professional career in the skilled trades," said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. "With 81 percent of apprenticeship training and skilled trades education being completed in our classrooms, programs like the general machinist and industrial mechanic millwright programs at Sheridan are helping to address local labour market needs while setting students up for success in their careers."
Pre-apprenticeship training promotes careers in the trades as an option for all Ontario residents, including youth at risk, new Canadians, women and Indigenous people. The training programs are free, last up to one year and often combine classroom training and work placements of up to 12 weeks.