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Ontario invests in Skilled Trades

The Ontario government is making the skilled trades more accessible by investing an additional $75 million over the next two years to help apprentices cover living expenses during their in-class training. The government is also appointing a five-member Skilled Trades Panel to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development on developing a new approach to training and certification.

The announcement was made today at Downtown Toyota Toronto by Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Joseph Mancinelli, International Vice President of LiUNA, Patrick J. Dillon, Business Manager and Secretary Treasurer of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, and Karen Renkema, Chair of the Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance, among others.

This $75-million investment includes:

  • The Grant for Apprentice Learning, a $5.8 million commitment to support those ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) while attending in-class training, including a boost of $1.3 million this year and next year.
  • The Apprentice Development Benefit, a $24 million commitment to increase the maximum benefit rates for EI-eligible apprentices attending full-time in-class training, including a boost of $4 million this year and next year.
  • The In-Class Enhancement Fund, a $211.9 million commitment to support training providers so they can deliver higher quality training, including a boost of $11.8 million this year and $22.3 million next year.
  • The Apprenticeship Capital Grant, a $24 million commitment to training providers to upgrade their facilities with state-of-the-art and modern equipment, including an additional $10 million next year.
  • $5.1 million for training delivery agents, and an additional $500,000 for pre-apprenticeship training service prov iders, to assist them with implementing COVID-19 health and safety measures during the pandemic (e.g. purchase personal protective equipment, cleaning products and digital supports).
  • $4.7 million as part of a multi-year $19.4 million investment in the development of a client-facing digital system to support the skilled trades and apprenticeship system in Ontario. The portal will provide skilled trades and apprenticeship clients with secure and convenient access to online information and services and will bring Ontario in line with digital delivery channels in other provinces.
  • $2.5 million this year and $7.5 million next year to launch the new non-repayable Tools Grant.

“Demand for workers in the trades will only increase as the province continues down the path of renewal, growth and economic recovery. That’s why our government is replacing lost wages for apprentices while they are in training so they can focus on completing their education and not having to worry about paying the bills,” said Minister McNaughton. “This investment will help them earn a higher quality education to ensure they acquire the skills they need to find good jobs and careers in the trades.”

The new Skilled Trades Panel, chaired by Michael Sherrard, will provide advice and recommendations to the Minister on the replacement of the Ontario College of Trades with a new approach to providing services, including compliance with compulsory training and certification requirements. The panel will also provide guidance on the criteria and process used to make decisions on the classification and training for the trades.

“I am honoured to accept this appointment,” said Michael Sherrard, Chair of the Skilled Trades Panel. “This is an important opportunity to modernize, streamline and strengthen the skilled trades system in our Province. With my colleagues on the panel, I look forward to listening to interested stakeholders and contributing to a solution that serves apprentices, journey-people and anyone who may consider a career in the skilled trades.”

Ontario Government
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