The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $4.7 million into three projects in the Niagara Region that will provide free training to more than 2,300 youth, apprentices and jobseekers that will prepare them for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.

Under the arrangement, the following organizations will receive funding.

• Civiconnect Youth Community Engagement Organization will receive $3 million to help 350 youth aged 14 to 29 in Niagara Region develop technical and workplace preparedness skills for careers in the skilled trades, digital marketing, web development, digital system administration, cloud computing and information technology. Participants will work on projects submitted by businesses in the community.

• Edge Factor Inc is receiving $1,087,600 for a project that aims to showcase careers and opportunities in the skilled trades online for 1,920 youth, jobseekers, parents and community members in Niagara Region and across Ontario.

• United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, Local 1007 is receiving $650,369 to purchase and outfit a new six-booth welding trailer in Niagara Region. The new industry-standard equipment and technology will enable Local 1007 to train, test and certify an additional 48 apprentices and journeypersons on various types of welding to meet industry and employer demand in Ontario.

"The Skills Development Funding will be instrumental in enabling Millwright Local 1007 to offer more accessible work-ready welding training to our membership,” said business representative Dan Steel. “As an organization deeply involved in supporting power generation, steel making, automotive manufacturing, and many other critical industries, this welding center is a significant step towards improving skilled trades training in Niagara and supporting new apprentice development, which would otherwise not be possible."

The announcement brings Ontario’s total investment in skills development and training through its Skills Development Fund to nearly $1.1 billion. Since its launch in 2021, the fund has helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying and fulfilling careers close to home.

“We have heard from young people and students in the community that their only pathway to success is through university. It’s time we break that stigma. The skilled trades open the door to a future with a six-figure salary – all without tuition debt,” said Patrice Barnes, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “We’re especially proud to support these local projects in Niagara Region because we know careers like these are more than a paycheque; they offer young people hope and self-confidence.”

Anyone interested in participating in the programs can contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.