Ontario invests $8.6M to train women for trades careers

Key Takeaways:

• Ontario is investing over $8.6 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to train more than 1,700 women across the GTA for careers in the skilled trades, as part of a broader $2.5 billion provincial investment.
• Funding is being distributed to five organizations, including IBEW 353, Enercare Home Services, Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, Brands for Canada, and The Career Foundation, to provide hands-on training, mentorship, and employment support for women, youth, and Indigenous participants.
• The province reports over 390,000 women now working in skilled trades-related roles, with female apprenticeship registrations up 11% year-over-year.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government has announced that it is investing more than $8.6 million through the Skills Development Fund to help more than 1,700 women across the Greater Toronto Area access training in skilled trades.

The funding is part of a broader $2.5 billion provincial investment in the SDF, aimed at supporting workers and keeping Ontario competitive amid economic pressures.

“Ontario’s economy depends on the skill and determination of its workers, and we’re making sure women have every opportunity to be part of that success,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, in a statement. “By investing over $8 million through the Skills Development Fund, we’re opening doors to good-paying careers in the skilled trades, breaking down barriers and helping more women gain the confidence, training and in-demand skills they need to build Ontario’s future.”

The announcement was made at IBEW 353 in North York, which is receiving $2.3 million to expand its Pathway Program for Women & Indigenous Pre-Apprentices.

Five organizations across the GTA are receiving funding to deliver complementary training programs. IBEW 353’s expansion will support apprenticeship opportunities for women, youth at risk and Indigenous participants. Enercare Home Services is receiving $186,170 to deliver eight bootcamps across York Region for 240 young women in grades seven to 12, offering hands-on experience in electrical, plumbing and HVAC trades.

Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto is receiving $2.5 million to provide racialized immigrant and refugee women with skills development training in project management, digital literacy and non-profit management, including training stipends and employment counselling.

The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario is receiving $756,252 to support women in the skilled trades through information sessions, financial wellness courses and 40 weeks of in-person and online training. Brands for Canada is receiving $491,000 to train young women in manufacturing sector trades through workshops, virtual modules and industry placements.

The Career Foundation’s A Women’s Work is receiving $2.4 million to train 260 women in hands-on trades including tiling, drywall, framing, painting and roofing, with wraparound supports including mentorship and gender-focused training.

Since its 2021 launch, Ontario has invested $1.5 billion through the SDF to train more than one million workers. The government announced in its 2025 budget an additional $1 billion investment over three years.

According to the ministry, 1.3 million people work in skilled trades-related occupations in Ontario, with over 390,000 women in the sector. New female apprenticeship registrations increased by over 11 per cent to 4,157 in 2024-2025.