GVCA one of three Kitchener organizations to receive $7 million in SDF funding
The Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) was among three organizations in the Kitchener area to share in more than $7 million in funding from the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund.
Announced on July 22, the news was part of a broader announcement that sees the province top up its trades-training fund by a further $260 million.
The increase, says the province, is the largest round of funding since the SDF Training Stream was launched in 2021. It brings Ontario’s total investment through the fund to up to $1.4 billion.
“Our government’s record investments in the Skills Development Fund are helping connect workers here in Kitchener and across the province to better jobs and bigger paycheques,” said Premier Doug Ford at an announcement at XL Tool Inc. in Kitchener. “By continuing to work for workers and make these important investments, we are also tackling Ontario’s labour shortage and bringing back good-paying jobs in manufacturing and the skilled trades.”
GVCA’s Path to Employment program will receive nearly $1.1 million in funding from a previous round of the SDF to deliver free training for careers in construction such as painting, drywall, carpentry, roofing and masonry work, as well as health and safety training, and match participants with local employers through paid job placements.
Participants will include jobseekers and people from underrepresented and vulnerable groups such as Indigenous people, newcomers, and justice-involved individuals in Waterloo, Brant and Wellington regions.
"This program gathers diverse local individuals interested in trades but struggling to find jobs,” said GVCA President Jeff MacIntyre. “The Path to Employment through the Skills Development Fund provides basic skills and certifications, combining training with paid job placements. This approach has already led to full-time employment for many participants, removing barriers for both employers and employees. This successful program will be crucial for future employment in the Waterloo Region and across the province."
Two other programs will share in the more than $7 million in funding.
The Canadian Tooling and Machining Association will receive more than $5.4 million to create technical skills development opportunities for at least 3,000 high-school students in manufacturing technology programs.
The funding is expected to also deliver 300 paid job placements for approximately 160 young people and create 30 new apprenticeships in the precision metalworking industry across Ontario, including tool and die makers, mould makers and computer-numerical-control machinists.
The Christian Labour Association of Canada will receive more than $723,000 to provide free training and paid job placements for workers in construction. The training will focus on the basics of construction and essential skills in health, safety and wellness. Participants will include women, Indigenous people, newcomers, young people, underrepresented people and justice-involved individuals across the province.
These latest announcements bring Ontario’s total investment in training for Kitchener area workers to over $20 million.
Meanwhile, the province says it will open the fifth round of its SDF Training Stream funding on July 29. As before, the fund will be open to solutions that address challenges for recruiting, training and upskilling workers for sectors such as manufacturing, construction and technology.
Organizations eligible for funding include employers, employment service, training providers, labour unions, community organizations, business and industry organizations, municipalities, hospitals, Indigenous Band offices, Indigenous skills and employment training agreement holders and service system managers.
"The Skills Development Fund has been a game changer for the construction industry,” said Karen Renkema, Vice-president, Ontario, for the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada. “The funds have enabled innovative training partnerships, pathways and programs that have served to attract and support many new participants into the skilled trades. PCA members are pleased to partner with CLAC, as their SDF funding allows young people the chance to explore rewarding careers in the skilled trades and assists in mentoring apprentices so they can complete and advance their pathway to becoming a licensed journeyperson."
Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has helped almost 600,000 workers train for in-demand sectors, including over 66,000 construction workers, over 92,000 manufacturing workers and over 36,000 PSWs and health-care workers.