Ontario investing over $6M to apprenticeship, trades programs in Hamilton

The Ontario government is investing over $6 million into eight Hamilton organizations to support apprenticeship training programs and skilled trades training.

The government, through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program, Apprenticeship Capital Grant and Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, will support eight organizations that will help nearly 200 people prepare for a job in the skilled trades.

The organizations that will see the investment funding include: Mohawk College; YWCA Hamilton; Ironworkers Local 736; YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford; the John Howard Society of Hamilton, Burlington and Area; the United Association 67 Technical Trades Academy; the Canadian Elevator Industry Educational Program and; the Finishing Trades Institute of Ontario.

“Creating more opportunity in the skilled trades starts with giving workers the training and experience employers are looking for,” said the minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini in a statement.

“Through these investments, we’re helping more workers in Hamilton transition into good-paying careers, supporting employers facing economic pressures and strengthening the industries that will drive Ontario’s future prosperity. ”

The province expects to need over 400,000 workers to fill job openings in skilled trades-related jobs across all sectors over the next decade, due to retirements and job growth.

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