Province invests $1.2M in Sault trades training
Sault Ste. Marie MPP and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Ross Romano announced an investment of nearly $1.2 million into a construction-trades training program on March 12.
Through the SkillsAdvance Ontario program, the Sault Community Information and Career Centre will work with the Sault Ste. Marie Construction Association to provide construction sector-based training for about 100 people—jobseekers as well as incumbent workers.
The jobseeker training is an eight-week program designed to develop industry-recognized certification/credentials. The training is followed by a two-week job placement.
The incumbent worker training, meanwhile, prepares employees for senior-level positions (e.g., site supervisors, project managers, etc.). Participants will develop the skills needed to develop their skills and will gain industry-recognized credentials.
“I am very excited that this short-term training program will be available to people and businesses in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Romano. “This funding will help 104 Saulties and their families build rewarding careers in the construction industry and will help people in the community get back on their feet as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. By investing in short-term training here at home, we are helping to create good jobs in our community, boost our local economy and help people stay at home in the Sault.”
“The Sault Community Information and Career Centre welcomes this funding to continue our Build this City: Construction Fundamentals SAO Training Program,” said executive director Karol Rains. “Sault Ste. Marie’s construction sector continues to experience a challenge in finding the workers it needs, with the right skills, at the right time. During our first year of running this program we experienced success and great engagement from the local construction community.”
Funding for the project is included in the $180.5 million over three years, laid out in the province’s 2020 budget to help workers affected by the pandemic retrain and upgrade their skills to find good jobs.