Skills Development Fund investing in Halton Industry Education Council and Pollard Windows
NEWS December 2024
Burlington — The Ontario government is investing over $3 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) in a training programs right here in Burlington for in-demand careers in the skilled trades. In round four of this funding stream, Ontario's total investment through the Skills Development Fund to up to $1.4 billion.
“Under Premier Ford, our government has an ambitious plan to build Ontario: from new housing that families can call home, to highways and public transit connecting our communities, and clean energy projects powering our economy. But after years of neglect and under-investment in the trades from previous Liberal governments, one in three tradespeople are nearing retirement,” said the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why we’re partnering with local employers, unions, and educators to pass on the expertise and wisdom of the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of students, apprentices, and workers who will build Ontario’s bright future.”
In partnership with Halton Industry Education Council and Pollard Windows the Ontario government is investing over $2.9 million in HIEC and over $200 thousand in Pollard Windows to create a high-performing work force through comprehensive training that will enhance skills and equip their employees with the skills necessary for a dynamic work environment.
Through the SDF, the government is investing up to $1.4 billion through SDF’s Training Stream and the Capital Stream which are designed to recruit, train and upskill workers and build or upgrade training centres for the skilled trades.
Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect approximately 600,000 workers train or upskill for careers in the trades in their local communities, including over 92,000 manufacturing workers, over 66,000 construction workers, over 36,000 PSWs and healthcare workers, and over 27,000 mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction workers.
Quick Facts
• Ontario’s $224 million SDF Capital Stream was launched by Premier Ford in June 2023.
• People interested in participating in the programs announced today are encouraged to contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.
• The Capital Stream of the Skills Development Fund is exclusively funded by the Government of Ontario.
• The Training Stream of the Skills Development Fund is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
• As the Government of Canada has unilaterally cut over $230 million annually from Ontario’s Labour Market Transfer Agreements, which support employment and settlement service programs, Ontario continues to call for the federal government to reinstate this critical funding for Ontario workers and jobseekers.
Additional Resources
• Skills Development Fund Training Stream
• Skills Development Fund Capital Stream
• Employment Ontario: Free Programs and Services for Job Seekers, Workers and Employers
• Skilled Trades in Ontario