Province drops $6.5 million in grants between Lincoln and Niagara Falls
Published April 20, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Lincoln and Niagara Falls were the big winners when it came to provincial grants being aimed to job training programs today (April 20).
Monte McNaughton, the provincial Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, brought grants totaling $6,557,792 to three Skills Development Fund projects in Niagara.
The biggest cheque for $3,506,800 went to a training initiative by Canadian Niagara Hotels in Niagara Falls.
However, Lincoln also saw some serious money, getting $2,503,500 for the Youth Skills Studio in Beamsville, a partnership between Lincoln and Civiconnect, as well as $547,492 for Edge Factor studio, also in Beamsville.
Both McNaughton and Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff were on hand in Lincoln with the announcement today, as was Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton, who recently recovered from a bout with COVID-19.
“The pandemic has caused many of our local businesses to be short-staffed and in need of a talented young workforce,” said Easton. “With pandemic restrictions lifted, this extension of our Youth Skills Studio program could not come at a more critical time to support youth readiness into the workforce.”
The funding for the Youth Skills Studio is the largest non-infrastructure provincial investment ever in Lincoln.
Edge Factor studio, which helps towns tackle workforce development in their community, said the half million dollar investment would go to good use.
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“Edge Factor’s mission is to inspire people to explore, prepare and connect on their career journey,” said Jeremy Bout, Founder of Edge Factor studio. “Apprenticeship is an incredible opportunity for students, parents and immigrants, and is a resource that is often not understood or considered.”
Oosterhoff noted with the province slowly climbing out of the pandemic, the timing to get jobs back on-track was critical.