OTTAWA — September 22, 2025 — The Ontario government is investing more than $8.7 million to train over 1,500 people in Ottawa and eastern Ontario for jobs in high-demand sectors, a move the province says will protect workers and businesses against economic pressures created by U.S. tariffs.
Premier Doug Ford announced the funding Monday at UA Local 71 in Ottawa, emphasizing that the investment through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) will help workers access stable, well-paying jobs while preparing the region for economic uncertainty.
“In the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty, we’re making sure workers in Ottawa and eastern Ontario have the support they need to find good-paying, rewarding jobs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The projects we’re launching will help jobseekers train for in-demand careers so they can find meaningful work, close to home and ensure the region is prepared for whatever challenges come our way.”
Training Across Key Sectors
The new funding is part of a broader $2.5 billion provincial commitment under the SDF. Since 2021, the program has supported training for more than one million workers across Ontario. The province says the investment will directly benefit industries most impacted by U.S. tariffs, including construction, skilled trades, manufacturing, and automotive.
Ford highlighted UA Local 71’s $773,900 allocation to provide specialized mental health supports for skilled trades. The program will train workers to recognize and respond to mental health challenges on worksites — an issue industry advocates say has been overlooked for too long.
Labour Minister David Piccini underscored the urgency of preparing a skilled workforce for infrastructure and industrial demands. “We are facing unprecedented economic uncertainty and Ontario needs highly skilled workers that can deliver our ambitious infrastructure commitment,” he said. “By investing in the skilled workers of tomorrow, we are supporting businesses in the Ottawa region for years to come and ensuring more jobseekers land good, well-paying jobs in the face of U.S. tariffs.”
Funding Breakdown
Several organizations in Ottawa and surrounding areas are receiving funding to run training programs targeting underrepresented groups, safety skills, and technical trades. Among the largest recipients:
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All Pro Electrical Inc. — $2.98 million for hands-on electrical trade training.
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Canada Safety Council — $1 million to deliver scenario-based training for specialty vehicle drivers in health care and construction sectors.
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Canadian Marine Careers Foundation — $672,735 to upskill seafarers and prepare new entrants for Great Lakes–St. Lawrence shipping roles.
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John Howard Society of Ottawa — $157,252 to connect underrepresented jobseekers with training and certifications in construction.
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Mining Industry Human Resources Council — $1.53 million for a two-phase training program using virtual reality and paid work placements.
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YMCA of the National Capital Region — $984,796 to train workers in green construction and home renovation.
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Project Learning Tree — $556,000 to support youth from underrepresented communities pursuing forestry and manufacturing careers.
Local and Industry Voices
Local leaders and industry representatives welcomed the announcement, framing it as both a workforce development measure and a response to economic headwinds.
“This investment is about giving people in Ottawa the tools to succeed. Whether it’s preparing for careers in construction, manufacturing or the skilled trades, we’re making sure jobseekers and workers have access to training that leads to better jobs with bigger paycheques,” said Mohamed Firin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa, stressed the importance of keeping talent in the capital. “I want to thank Premier Ford and Minister Piccini for this important investment to help more than 1,500 workers in our region prepare for good-paying jobs in high-demand sectors like construction, manufacturing, skilled trades and automotive,” he said.
Industry partners pointed to the need for specialized supports. Alanna Marklund of UA Canada said, “To me, having a Mental Health First Aid Course designed specifically for the skilled trades is a pivotal step in breaking the stigma around mental health in the construction industry.”
From small businesses to national organizations, stakeholders framed the SDF as a way to connect untapped labour pools with employers. “As a first-generation small business, we feel the daily challenges of hiring and retaining skilled workers,” said Eric Drouin, Partner at All Pro Electrical Inc. “Collaborating with valued community partners, the All Pro Electrical Hub is connecting an untapped labour pool with unique hands-on learning and mentorship experiences to train people and create jobs in the electrical trade.”
Looking Ahead
The Ontario government has also launched a $260 million call for project proposals under the SDF Training Stream, open until October 1. Officials say this round will continue to focus on sectors most exposed to trade-related economic risks.
For Ottawa and eastern Ontario, the immediate goal is clear: preparing local workers for long-term careers that will withstand external pressures. As George Darouze, MPP for Carleton, put it: “At a time of economic uncertainty across our region and the province, there is no better investment than in the people who will drive Ontario’s future.”
