HAMILTON - Ontario is investing in the future of Hamilton’s workforce. In doing so, it is helping people strengthen their trade-related skills for successful apprenticeships, providing increased access to skills training and job opportunities for students and increasing the capacity of training centres to train more high-skilled workers.
This investment of over $1 million comes through three different programs:
The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program helps people develop trade-specific knowledge, job readiness skills and employment experience that people looking for work as apprentices will need.
Under this initiative, the government will provide:
- $273,055 to Mohawk College (Stoney Creek) for 22 carpentry apprenticeships;
- $96,269 to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 18 for 16 drywall installer and acoustical applicator apprenticeships.
Partners in these projects include Job Connect, Ontario Works, the Hamilton Wall & Ceilings Association and the Acoustical Association of Ontario.
The Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program lets participants complete a college program and begin training as an apprentice at the same time. Programs also include business and entrepreneurship courses to prepare students to start their own businesses.
Under this program, the government will invest:
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$235,000 in Mohawk College to welcome 240 new students into the Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program in Industrial Electrician, Industrial Millwright Mechanic, and Instrumentation & Control Technician starting next fall.
The Ontario Skills Training Enhancement Program (OSTEP) is a cost-sharing program that encourages partnerships between governments, unions and industry to expand facilities and modernize equipment to keep pace with new technological requirements of the skilled trades.
OSTEP represents an investment of:
- $280,242 in LIUNA Local 837 to construct a new building and purchase new training equipment for the construction craft worker and cement finisher trades;
- $196,000 in the Ontario Industrial & Finishing Skills Centre (Ancaster) to upgrade their training centre and purchase training equipment for the industrial painter trade.
QUOTES
“There is no better time to invest in training than now,” said Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP for Hamilton Mountain. “This funding represents a commitment to ensuring that Hamilton continues to have a well-trained and versatile workforce.”
“Moving forward in today’s economic climate requires a collaborative, partnership approach. We’re excited to expand our support with our valued partners to create new training and apprenticeship opportunities,” said Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.
QUICK FACTS
- Funding for the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program, Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program and OSTEP is part of the $2-billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan, aimed at helping more Ontarians get the training they need for tomorrow’s high-value jobs.
- The Ontario government is providing $32 million over the next two years to 17 colleges to add more than 2,400 spaces for participants in 15 in-demand skilled trades in the Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program.
- Through OSTEP, the Ontario government is providing $15 million over the next three years to training centres for 49 projects that will update, expand or purchase new facilities and training equipment.
- There are over 150 apprenticeable trades in Ontario in four sectors: construction, industrial, motive power and service.