The federal government has committed more than $111 million across seven organizations to help develop green-economy training programs.

Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Minister Randy Boissonnault announced the funding on September 15.

The seven funded projects aim to bridge gaps in training and upskilling, while empowering Canadians to seize new work opportunities within the green economy.

Two in particular target skills in the construction sector.

The Canada Green Building Council has received just under $7.9 million for its Building Skills for Climate Change: Low Carbon Training initiative.

The project, which will run for 17 months, will develop and deliver training programs to support building decarbonization. Training will be offered to a variety of workers, including engineers, architects, contractors, owners and building operators, with an emphasis on workers aged 20 to 40. The project can accommodate up to 3,000 participants.

Additionally, Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology will receive $46.5 million for its Demand Driven Workforce Training Solutions for a Clean Economy program. The program will provide participants with access to fully funded micro-credentials to help increase their skills and competencies. The college intends to offer training across a variety of industries, including construction. It also aims to reduce employment barriers among people from under-represented groups.

Funding for these initiatives is being provided through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program and is expected to support over 22,270 Canadians and benefit approximately 970 employers across the country.

According to labour market data from December 2022, the environmental and clean technology products sector accounted for more than 314,000 jobs in 2021. That figure accounted for 1.6% of all jobs in the country that year.

Over the next three years, as many as 1.1 million workers across all sectors are expected to retire. The Royal Bank of Canada estimates the net-zero transition could create up to 400,000 new jobs in Canada by the end of this decade alone.