Province provides $3M in support for Eastern Ontario electricians
The Ontario government has committed nearly $3 million to provide training to more than 60 electrical workers in Eastern Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford announced the funding in Ottawa on June 20. The province has committed $2.7 million through its Skills Development Fund to support a free program being led by KE Electrical.
The program will provide participants with the training needed to progress from labourer to apprentice, apprentice to journeyman, and journeyman to foreman.
“Right across the province, we’re facing historic labour shortages with thousands of jobs going unfilled in skilled trades each and every day,” said Ford. “Programs like these are helping to ensure we have the skilled workforce to build the homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure projects our growing province needs.”
Across Ontario, at least 1,600 more electricians are needed. That figure is projected to grow in the coming years, with one-in-three skilled trades workers aged 55 or over and nearing retirement. This project will provide new and existing KE Electrical workers with the chance to participate in 8,500 hours of hands-on training focused on learning technical skills and abilities, health and safety, professional development and other critical industry skills.
In addition to supporting the electrical workers, the program will help the province find the electricians needed to help build its historic infrastructure plans. Training will be delivered at sites throughout eastern Ontario and will be free to all employees, while mileage and other travel expenses will be reimbursed.
“This funding will allow us to upskill, retrain, and develop our workforce so we can continue to deliver our crucial services to underserved communities,” said Gordon Kemp, President at KE Electrical Ltd. “Together, we are breaking down barriers and stereotypes to ensure that Ontario becomes a leader in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople.”
Through its first three funding rounds, the Skills Development Fund has supported 596 projects, to help almost 522,000 people around the province take the next step in their careers.