Ontario announces $9M in funding to train trades workers

Key Takeaways:

• The Ontario government is investing over $9 million to train 2,300 workers in the manufacturing and construction sectors in Windsor, focusing on skilled trades, electric vehicle development, and battery technology.

• A substantial $4.7 million investment will fund a new 24,000 square foot training facility for electrical workers in Windsor, part of the broader $224 million Skills Development Fund Capital Stream to support infrastructure for skilled trades training.

• The funding also includes $3 million to train 1,500 workers in the auto sector, particularly in electric vehicle and battery development, with initiatives like the Automotive Innovation Challenge to connect students with job opportunities.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government is investing over $9 million to train approximately 2,300 manufacturing and construction sector workers in Windsor. This includes a $4.7 million investment to build a new training facility for local electrical workers through the new $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream. This brings Ontario’s total investment in Windsor workers through SDF since 2021 to over $15.6 million.

“With its long history as a manufacturing powerhouse, Windsor is at the heart of our government’s plan to bring good-paying manufacturing jobs, including in the growing electric vehicle and battery sector, back to Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Today’s more than $9 million in investments from our government’s Skills Development Fund will support the world-class workers here in Windsor who are rebuilding Ontario’s economy by ensuring they have the skills and training they need to secure better jobs and bigger paycheques for years to come.”

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. These projects include:

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 773: $5,511,476 through SDF Capital and Training Streamsto train over 600 new electrical workers and build a new training facility in Windsor. This includes $4,748,066 through the SDF Capital stream to build a new 24,000 square foot training centre in Windsor, as well as $763,410 through the SDF Training stream, to train new electrical workers and connecting apprentices with employers so new workers can quickly land jobs and apply their training in manufacturing and construction.
• Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN): $3 million through the SDF Training stream to develop local training programs for approximately 1,500 auto sector workers in Windsor and across the province, with a focus on electric vehicle and battery development. This includes setting up an Automotive Innovation Challenge for students at the University of Windsor and Ontario Tech University and enhancing the OVIN Learning Hub’s capacity by adding a new job placement portal that will connect students with employers in their communities.
• International Association of Bridge and Ironworkers Local 700: $512,836 through the SDF Training stream to train and upskill at least 170 new ironworkers and apprentices, including investing in enhanced instructional equipment and technology.

“As Ontario leads the world in electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing, our government is proud to work with labour and industry partners to ensure auto workers in Windsor and across the province have the opportunities and skills to thrive in this rapidly growing sector,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Through our Skills Development Fund, we’re providing cutting-edge training programs and building a new training facility in Windsor to deliver better training, better jobs and bigger paychecks for thousands more auto workers who are driving our economy forward.”

Applications are open for the government’s fifth round of SDF Training Stream with up to $260 million in available funding, the largest funding round since the fund launched in 2021. With the fifth round of SDF Training Stream and the Capital Stream, this brings the government’s investment up to $1.4 billion to grow Ontario’s workforce for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.