The Ontario government is investing $9.8 million to establish a new millwright training centre in Port Hope, a project expected to train 2,550 apprentices, journeypersons and new entrants over the next five years as the province works to address growing demand for skilled trades workers.
Announced on August 20, the investment is being provided through Ontario’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream. The nearly 45,000-square-foot facility will focus on preparing workers for jobs across the energy, manufacturing, construction and industrial sectors, where millwrights play a key role in installing, maintaining and repairing machinery.
New Port Hope Training Centre to Expand Skilled Trades Capacity
The new facility will be led by UBC Millwright Local 2309 and will span 44,986 square feet. It is designed to combine classroom instruction with practical, hands-on training that reflects the equipment and working environments found across Ontario industries.
Training programs will cover core millwright skills including welding, rigging, alignment and industrial maintenance. Participants will also be able to obtain certifications related to working at heights, confined spaces and equipment operation.
The facility is expected to include industry-standard machinery and technology such as turbines, conveyor systems, welding equipment and robotic technologies. Provincial officials say access to modern equipment will allow trainees to develop both the technical knowledge and safety skills needed to enter or advance within the skilled trades.
“Ontario is building energy independence in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “This new training centre will prepare more workers with the skills employers need to build, maintain and modernize the projects that will power our province and fuel economic growth for decades. By investing in workers today, we are helping secure good-paying jobs, attracting investment and keeping Ontario competitive for years to come.”
Ontario Links Skills Training to $236-Billion Infrastructure Plan
The Port Hope investment comes as Ontario pursues a $236-billion infrastructure program covering housing, highways, hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure.
Expanding skilled trades training capacity is increasingly important as employers prepare for retirements among experienced workers while demand for construction and infrastructure labour continues. The province estimates that more than 400,000 skilled trades-related occupations will need to be filled over the next decade because of retirements and employment growth.
Millwrights Remain Important to Ontario’s Industrial Economy
Millwrights are employed across a wide range of industries and are responsible for installing, troubleshooting, maintaining and repairing industrial machinery and mechanical equipment.
Ontario reported approximately 43,300 millwrights employed across the province in 2025. The average provincial wage for a millwright was $40.47 per hour that year, highlighting the earning potential associated with the trade.
The new Port Hope centre is intended to increase access to training for existing tradespeople as well as workers seeking to enter the occupation.
“This project is about investing in people and creating opportunities for the next generation of millwrights,” said John Baker, Business Manager of UBC Millwright Local 2309. “With the support of the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund Capital Stream and the Millwright Regional Council, we are building a training facility that will ensure workers develop the skills needed to build Ontario’s future.”
Skills Development Fund Capital Investments Reach $139.6 Million
Ontario has committed $139.6 million through the SDF Capital Stream to date, with funding directed toward expanding and modernizing skilled trades and workforce training facilities across the province.
The program is funded exclusively by the Government of Ontario, and applications for the Capital Stream are accepted on an ongoing basis.
The province has positioned the fund as part of its broader strategy to connect workers with in-demand careers while helping employers secure the skilled labour required for future investment and expansion.
Port Hope Facility Targets 2,550 Trainees Over Five Years
With 2,550 apprentices, journeypersons and new entrants expected to receive training during its first five years, the Port Hope facility represents a significant expansion of local skilled trades training capacity.
The investment also reflects Ontario’s effort to align workforce development with major infrastructure, manufacturing and energy projects. As demand for skilled workers increases, provincial officials expect facilities such as the new millwright centre to play a larger role in preparing workers for long-term careers while supporting the competitiveness and resilience of Ontario’s economy.