Province funds Georgina training project
A new program sponsored by the provincial government will bring jobs training and affordable housing units to a small community north of Toronto.
The province will invest more than $4 million through SkillsAdvance Ontario to support a construction-training program being run by Georgina Trades Training Inc. (GTTI). The project will see as many as 100 job seekers in construction-related professions use their newfound skills to build six new modular housing units in 2021.
The work will be performed at a new GTTI training facility located on Metro Road in the Town of Georgina.
“This project shows how our government is partnering with local communities to address economic challenges and help more people find work in the trades,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Many communities have been hit hard by the pandemic, and as we continue to reopen Ontario’s economy, effective training initiatives will be an essential part of our efforts to get everyone back on the job.”
Over the coming weeks and months, Georgina Trades Training Inc. will begin hiring staff for the project and finalize the training curriculum. The start of training is scheduled to begin in January. Once the first six units are built, GTTI aims to deliver as many as 20 more per year afterwards.
The project is part of the province’s strategy to bring the economy back to full capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is one of 50 current SkillsAdvance Ontario projects across the province, five of which are dedicated to skills training in the construction sector.
“By providing funding for this project in Georgina, we’re giving young people a chance to learn new skills and start careers in the skilled trades,” said area MPP and Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney. “This project will provide good jobs, spur economic development and provide affordable housing in our region.”
The Town of Georgina is supporting the project with $2.6 million in funding and is leasing the land that the housing units will be built on as part of the training project.
“As a founding partner of GTTI, the town looks forward to continuing this partnership with the development of the Skilled Trades Institute,” said Margaret Quirk, Mayor of Georgina. “This is a great opportunity with far-reaching economic and social benefits in providing post-secondary opportunities closer to home for residents, addressing skilled trades shortages while creating affordable housing for those who need it.”
“Acute shortages in the skilled trades have become a serious problem for Ontario’s economy that requires bold, creative thinking to come up with solutions,” said John De Faveri, Chair of GTTI. “Not only are we attracting and training post-secondary school graduates as well as multi-barrier candidates to consider a career in skilled trades, we are at the same time creating a unique model for municipalities that clearly speaks to affordable housing.”
Applications to join the GTTI program open in September.