The Ontario government has announced an investment of nearly $63 million in two programs in an effort to attract thousands more young people to the skilled trades.

Of the funding, more than $21 million is being dedicated to the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. The specialized high-school program gives students who have completed Grade 10 the chance to explore the trades through cooperative education courses while also accumulating hours toward their apprenticeships.

The province is also sending 72 OYAP recruiters into more than 800 secondary schools to compete directly with colleges and universities.

The government is also investing $41.8 million to launch roughly 100 pre-apprenticeship training projects. Pre-apprenticeship training is free for participants while costs for textbooks, safety equipment and tools are all covered. Courses can last up to 52 weeks and include a paid work placement of up to 12 weeks with a local employer.

"Ontario's plan to go back to basics includes a renewed focus on hands-on learning that integrates learning with working in the skilled trades,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “This significant increase in pre-apprenticeships, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and the deployment of recruiters into 800 high schools across Ontario will help students jump-start their careers in the skilled trades and access good-paying jobs in communities small and large."

The funding announcement was made at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 353 in Toronto.

With a $1.3 million investment from the Skills Development Fund Training Stream, IBEW has launched a free project to prepare 48 people from underrepresented groups as electricians in the Greater Toronto Area.

The program includes a free 15-week bootcamp on essential electrical skills and health and safety, along with a 10-week paid job placement with a local employer and a pathway to an apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship registrations in Ontario have been on the rise since the COVID pandemic, increasing by 24% in the last 12 months. In total, 91,634 apprentices were active in Ontario as of April 3.