The Government of Ontario has now invested a total of $1.4 billion in the SDF since its launch in 2021. Photo Credit: Pexels
The Ontario government recently made yet another multi-million-dollar Skills Development Fund (SDF) announcement to help train workers in Hamilton.
This time, the government is providing $4,276,000 through the SDF for two different training programs that will get 340 workers in Hamilton ready for in-demand careers.
The large majority of that investment, $4 million, will reportedly go towards training workers “to build modular housing at an accelerated pace” in partnership with 2533595 Ontario Inc. – Blue Branch.
After six weeks of training, 100 of those participants will then be working with Cambridge-based company NOW Housing to build a six-unit residential building.
The remaining $276,000 will be used to expand the John Howard Society’s WorkPath program to help individuals with criminal records overcome employment challenges.
David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development explained that SDF training investments are vital since one in three tradespeople in the province are nearing retirement.
He says that skilled workers are desperately needed to build homes, highways, transit projects, and advance new energy initiatives.
Local Member of Provincial Parliament Donna Skelly, who represents Flamborough-Glanbrook, echoed Piccini, saying that the Ontario government “remains committed to addressing the province’s labour shortage and helping more people find meaningful work.”
“This investment through the Skills Development Fund will allow workers to become properly trained in in-demand jobs in the Hamilton region.”
In August 2024, the province invested $3.6 million as part of four skilled trades training projects and one training centre expansion project in Hamilton.
Those funds went to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1916 (operating as Millwright Local 1916), the International Association of Bridge, Structural, and Ornamental Iron Workers Local 736, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 105.
A few weeks later, Ford announced $10 million in funds to train workers in shipbuilding and repair at Hamilton-based company Ontario Shipyards (previously Heddle Shipyards).
Ontario Shipyards also received $3.7 million through the SDF in 2023.
The Government of Ontario has now invested a total of $1.4 billion in the SDF since its launch in 2021.
They also launched the new SDF Capital Stream in June 2023 to help build skilled trades training centres and have invested an additional $224 million into those projects.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
