Province invests $47 million in apprenticeship
The Ontario government announced on March 5 that it will invest an additional $47 million this fiscal year to help pave the way for companies to hire more apprentices, and to improve the quality of apprenticeship training and certification.
The money is being provided through the new Achievement Incentive Program and the expanded Apprenticeship Capital Grant.
"This is critical investment as our apprentices will be the ones who will help provide essential services and build our future hospitals, highways and homes," said Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton. "Through these programs, our government is supporting this important training pipeline, creating the next generation of our skilled workers and providing more young people with opportunity to get good jobs in their communities. Our economic recovery and future growth depends on having a robust skilled workforce."
The $23-million Achievement Incentive Program will provide over 11,000 employers in the construction, industrial, service and other sectors with up to $4,000 in funding per apprentice as they reach key training milestones.
"This is a good step that will encourage more employers to hire and train apprentices,” said Stephen Hamilton, chair of the Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance. “Employers provide critical on-the-job training for apprentices entering the trades. This investment will encourage more small and medium sized companies to be involved in the apprenticeship system so Ontario becomes a leader in the skilled trades."
The government is also investing $24 million through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to help colleges, unions and apprentice training providers upgrade their equipment and facilities to ensure apprentices are learning and using state-of-the-art infrastructure during their in-class training. Examples include new virtual reality training equipment and simulators, new tools or upgraded accessibility supports, all of which help apprentices acquire the skills they need to be job ready.
The initiatives are part of the government's Skilled Trades Strategy, which includes reducing the stigma related to a career in the skilled trades, simplifying the apprenticeship system, and encouraging business participation.
"Employers are an essential participant in the apprenticeship system providing jobs, training and mentorship for our next generation of skilled workers,” Karen Renkema, vice president, Ontario, Progressive Contractors Association of Canada. “As we begin to recover from the pandemic, it is imperative that employers are supported to continue to train and employ the tradespeople our economy will rely upon."
Statistics show there is a shortage of skilled trade workers in Ontario. Data suggests that the need to replace retiring workers is greater for workers in the skilled trades than for other occupations. The average apprentice takes as many as five years to complete their training.