$7.3 million invested by Province in skilled trades training in Milton

Ontario | Halton | Milton | Business | Community |

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Published April 17, 2024 at 10:16 am

For the second time this week, a major provincial funding announcement took place in Milton.

Today’s saw an investment of more than $7.3 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) toward three free training projects in Milton to help more than 700 workers and jobseekers prepare for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.

This brings Ontario’s total investment in Milton training projects through the fund to more than $20 million.

“As Milton’s population grows four times faster than the provincial average, our government is working with labour and industry partners to open up new training and apprenticeship opportunities for local workers and jobseekers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

“The projects that we’re supporting today showcase the diverse careers in Ontario’s 144 skilled trades: from welding to landscaping to working with animals, the skilled trades offer well-paying, highly in-demand, meaningful careers for hardworking Ontarians.”

The Ontario government is partnering with industry to deliver free training programs, including:

  • Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association: $4,424,140 is committed for the GROW & Apprenticeship training program to attract, recruit, and train new and young workers in the landscape and horticultural sector. The GROW & Apprenticeship program has prepared 298 people for rewarding careers in horticulture and landscaping since 2022.
  • Ontario Harness Horse Association: $2,404,000 to deliver the Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program which will offer skills training and paid job placement opportunities.
  • CWB Group-Industry Services: $551,000 to deliver a welder training program for underrepresented groups, including women, youth, newcomers, people with disabilities, and Indigenous peoples.

“Thank you Premier Ford and Minister Piccini for investing in these three local training programs to empower 700 local workers to develop skills for in-demand careers and secure meaningful employment,” said Milton Mayor Gord Krantz.

“By bolstering the skilled trades, we are creating well-paying jobs for local jobseekers, driving Milton’s economic prosperity, and building the infrastructure needed to support our growing population.”

Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying careers close to home.

“It’s because of the Skills Development Fund training grant that we’re able to inspire people of all walks of life to enter the landscape horticulture trades and help them accelerate their outdoor career,” said Joe Salemi, executive director, Landscape Ontario Horticulture Trades Association.

“These are meaningful, purposeful and well-paying careers that can truly make a difference to our environment and the quality of life in communities across Ontario.”

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