The Ontario government has announced an investment of nearly $17 million through its Skills Development Fund to support the training of more than 36,000 workers in the North in the mining, construction, energy and forestry sectors, and to build new training facilities.

The initiatives see the province partner with First Nations, labour unions, local employers and community organizations to tackle labour shortages in the region.

“We’re giving workers in Northern Ontario the support and investments they need to find good-paying jobs in in-demand careers,” said Premier Doug Ford. “By working closely with our partners in the North, including First Nations, labour unions and the private sector, we can continue to expand the critical sectors like mining, construction, forestry and energy that will power Ontario’s growth and prosperity.”

The funding comes from both the Training and Capital streams of the SDF, which are designed to recruit, train and upskill workers and build or upgrade training centres for the skilled trades.

The projects include:

• Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 397: $1,071,547 through the SDF Capital Stream to build a training centre for sheet metal workers and roofers to train 760 people over five years through pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships.
• Keewaytinook Okimakanak: $1,000,000 through the SDF Training Stream to recruit, train and mentor members from six First Nation communities in carpentry and other building trades needed for careers in residential, commercial and industrial construction.
• International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 759: $644,461 through the SDF Capital Stream to build a new training centre with welding facilities to train 150 participants in structural ironwork.
• Northern Centre for Advance Technology: $580,000 through the SDF Training Stream to deliver training programs focused on skills and safety knowledge related to careers in forestry, mining, exploration and energy development.
• Agnico Eagle Mines Limited: $10,000,000 through the SDF Training Stream to train people for careers in mining, in partnership with Matachewan First Nation, Taykwa Tagamou Nation and Moose Cree First Nation.
• Science North: $3,270,899 through the SDF Capital Stream to build a new training facility for up to 35,000 youth and apprentices over a five-year period to explore careers in mining and the skilled trades.

This latest investment brings Ontario’s total investment in Northern workers through SDF to nearly $117 million.

“Northern Ontario has a rich supply of natural resources and thousands of well-paying careers waiting to be filled that are critical to the province’s economy,” said Labour Minister David Piccini. “Our government is proud to partner with Northern employers, labour unions, First Nations and other community organizations to equip local workers and jobseekers with the skills they need to land in-demand, well-paying careers in some of Ontario’s most exciting industries.”

Applications are now open for the government’s fifth round of SDF Training Stream with up to $260 million in available funding.

Since its launch in 2021, the stream has helped almost 600,000 workers train for in-demand sectors, including more than 66,000 construction workers.