Ontario announced it is investing $5 million to provide free training to 500 people from underrepresented groups to prepare them for jobs in the automotive manufacturing sector.

“Our government is securing game-changing investments in the province’s auto sector that will ensure the electric vehicles and batteries of the future are made here in Ontario by Ontario workers,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement. “As we do, we’re investing in training the next generation of Ontario’s automotive workers and connecting hundreds of them with good-paying jobs at local businesses in immediate need of their world class talent and expertise.”

The training is led by the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA). The provincial government says the training includes three-month paid job placements through APMA’s network of more than 300 small and medium-sized businesses. It says after completing the program, each participants will receive a job offer from a local employer.

The province also says the program features a combination of online and on-the-job training, where participants will learn skills such as manufacturing essentials, project management and troubleshooting. It says training is tailored to the needs to each participant and employers can receive up to $4,600 in wage subsidies for each trainee.

“Our auto workers are heroes, and we need more of them to deliver our ambitious plan to build Ontario,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, in a statement. “This investment will help local manufacturers find the skilled workers they need to grow our economy and connect job seekers with meaningful careers where they can proudly earn bigger paycheques for themselves and their families.”

The government says the project is funded by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, which is more a more than $200 million initiative that supports programs that connect job seekers with skills and training to find a career.