Funding to Modernize Skilled Trades Facilities and Prepare Workers for Growing Infrastructure Demand
The Ontario government is investing nearly $1.75 million in apprenticeship training projects across the Greater Toronto Area as part of a broader effort to strengthen the province’s skilled trades workforce and support future infrastructure development.
The funding, announced Thursday by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, will support six projects through the province’s Apprenticeship Capital Grant program. The initiative is designed to modernize training facilities, expand hands-on learning opportunities and equip apprentices with access to industry-standard technology and equipment.
The investment comes as Ontario faces increasing demand for skilled workers needed to support major infrastructure projects, including housing, transportation, hospitals and schools.
“To build the homes, transit and infrastructure Ontario needs, we must continue training the next generation of skilled workers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By investing in apprenticeship training across the GTA and throughout Ontario, we are helping apprentices gain hands-on experience with the modern tools and technologies they will use on the job.”
The province said the funding supports its broader economic strategy focused on workforce development and long-term infrastructure growth.
Funding Targets Modern Training Equipment and Expanded Capacity
The Apprenticeship Capital Grant program provides funding to training providers to upgrade facilities, expand shop space and purchase equipment aligned with current industry standards.
The latest funding round will support projects across Durham, York, Peel and Halton regions, with investments focused on sectors including construction, transportation, automotive services and mechanical trades.
Among the largest recipients is the Canadian Elevator Industry Educational Program, which will receive $451,402 to establish electric motor troubleshooting laboratories for elevator mechanic apprentices.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 Training Institute will receive $400,000 to renovate and modernize its apprenticeship training centre, improving training conditions for mobile crane operator apprentices.
The Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 506 Training Centre is receiving $333,654 to purchase heavy equipment, including a telehandler and skid steer, for construction craft worker apprentices.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre will receive $300,000 to introduce virtual reality-based training and upgraded equipment for apprentices entering the sheet metal trade.
Durham College will receive $205,000 to expand and modernize automotive and electrical training laboratories, while Sheridan College will receive $55,922 to purchase additional equipment for plumbing apprentices.
Industry Leaders Welcome Training Investments
Trade organizations and educational institutions said the investments will help improve training quality while preparing workers for evolving labour market demands.
“Premier Doug Ford and Minister David Piccini have long recognized the importance of the skilled trades to the province’s economic well-being and this funding will go a long way to ensure the next generation of Operating Engineers will be equipped with all the knowledge and skills required to build the homes, hospitals and infrastructure our province will need,” said Simon Bowden, Communications Manager, IUOE Local 793.
LiUNA Local 506 also highlighted the importance of providing apprentices with practical, field-ready experience.
“The Apprenticeship Capital Grant enables us to invest in equipment that directly reflects the needs of the construction industry,” said Omar Passos, Director of Training, LiUNA Local 506 Training Centre. “Through this funding, we purchased a rotating telehandler and a skid steer – critical for preparing apprentices for real work in the field.”
Scott A. Wood, Provincial Training Director at the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre, said the funding will help modernize training delivery through new technologies.
“This funding allows The Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre to modernize apprentice education by incorporating virtual reality technology into our programs,” Wood said. “VR training gives apprentices hands-on experience in a safe, efficient and innovative environment while reducing material waste and consumable costs.”
Ontario Faces Growing Demand for Skilled Trades Workers
The province estimates Ontario will require more than 400,000 workers to fill skilled trades-related positions over the next decade due to retirements and continued economic growth.
Government projections also indicate that by 2034, roughly one in six job openings in Ontario will be tied to skilled trades occupations.
In the construction sector alone, Ontario is expected to need nearly 75,000 additional workers to address labour shortages.
“We’re building a brighter, stronger Ontario, and we need the highly skilled workers to do it,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “This investment will ensure our future skilled trades workers gets the cutting-edge education and hands-on skills they need to land good-paying jobs that protect Ontario.”
Province Expands Long-Term Workforce Investments
The apprenticeship funding announcement follows several recent provincial investments aimed at expanding access to postsecondary and trades education.
Through Budget 2025, Ontario committed $75 million to support up to 7,800 additional students in construction and urban planning programs at colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes.
The government also recently announced a broader $1.7-billion investment to fund 70,000 new seats in high-demand postsecondary programs, including skilled trades training.
Ontario’s Level Up! skilled trades career fairs will also return this fall in 12 communities across the province, providing students, parents and job seekers with opportunities to explore careers in the trades through hands-on demonstrations and employer engagement.
Officials say the combined initiatives are intended to build a resilient workforce capable of supporting Ontario’s long-term economic growth and major infrastructure expansion plans.