Province commits funding for electrician training in Niagara
The Ontario government is committing more than $670,000 in funding to a program to train new electricians in Niagara Region.
Labour Minister David Piccini announced the funding on April 2. The money, which is being provided through the province’s Skills Development Fund (SDF), will enable the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 303 to deliver the Job Readiness Program for local apprentices and jobseekers.
“As Ontario faces the largest labour shortage in a generation, our government is delivering on our commitment to build up our workforce and grow our economy,” said Piccini. “Together with our union partners, we’re creating training opportunities for Ontarians to develop the skills for well-paying, highly in-demand careers and land a better job with a bigger paycheck.”
Led by IBEW 303, the Job Readiness Program provided 16 apprentices with basic electrical and safety skills training, along with financial, budgeting, mentorship and job placement resources and included paid work placements on jobsites across Niagara Region. In the fourth quarter of 2023, there were nearly 1,500 job vacancies for electricians in Ontario.
"IBEW Local 303 proudly announces the second round of government funding for our skilled trades training program, ‘Wiring the Future’,” said Business Manager Mark Cherney. “This initiative offers enhanced training and career development in the electrical trade. Thanks to the continued government support, we’re empowering a new generation with the skills needed for industry success."
Almost 500,000 additional workers are expected to be needed in skilled trades-related occupations over the next decade. Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has already helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying careers close to home.
As announced in its 2024 budget, the province is investing an additional $100 million through the SDF to grow the trades workforce and build Ontario, bringing Ontario’s total SDF investment to nearly $1 billion.