Skills Ontario has received an extra $3.5 million in funding from the provincial government.

The funding was announced on June 30 by Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton at the Skills Ontario Virtual Skills Summit. It is to be used during the 2020–21 school year to help the organization further promote the skilled trades to youth, and is in addition to $1.5 million in funding the government provided earlier this year to support outreach and promotion to youth, educators and parents.

“As Ontario carefully reopens, the skilled trades are an essential part of the recovery and future of our economy,” said McNaughton. “We need to continue to promote the skilled trades to young people to give them access to jobs that are fulfilling, meaningful, and well-paid, and to keep the many industries that depend on skilled trades thriving. Skills Ontario does this very well.”

“Our objective is to connect education, experience, and employment for youth so that they can be aware of, explore and pursue the incredible opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies,” said Skills Ontario CEO Ian Howcroft. “We are grateful for the increased support from the Ontario government, and look forward to continuing to deliver programs to help strengthen our economy and secure our future. The pandemic has underscored the importance of skills and technology careers, and they will help lead us out of our economic challenges."

This additional funding from the Government of Ontario will go towards reaching youth, educators, and parents to present the skilled trades as viable, first-choice career options.