Province providing funding to help select students find jobs in Halton

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Published October 30, 2020 at 1:01 pm

On Oct. 30, the province announced that it’s investing $488,550 through the Halton Industry Education Council’s (HIEC) Gateway to the Trades – Making the Connection program to help 120 young people explore the skilled trades as a career opportunity. 

The province says that HIEC will work closely with Skills Ontario to give young people advice and coaching to improve their resumes, prepare for interviews and find jobs. The program also encourages students to network and seek mentorship from employers and those in the industry to help them secure apprenticeships.

“Our government is committed to preparing young people for the highly-skilled economy of tomorrow by providing access to training, resources, mentors and other supports,” said Jane McKenna, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development and MPP for Burlington, in a statement. 

“This funding will help the Halton Industry Education Council continue opening doors to exciting skilled trades careers in Burlington and across Southwestern Ontario.”

Participants will be recruited from eight school boards participating in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and from surrounding colleges in Southwestern Ontario.

Young people interested in the project can email [email protected].

The province says it’s working to destigmatize trade jobs and ensure enough people will be able to fulfil the demand for tradespeople. The province says that as of 2016, one in three Ontario journeypersons were aged 55 and older, and their jobs will need to be filled by the time they retire.

“There is a significant shortage of people in the skilled trades and we know they offer rewarding and life-changing careers with good pay,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, in a statement. 

“That’s why we need to connect more young people to these fantastic opportunities.”

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