Ontario Invests in New Training Centre to Support Skilled Trades Workforce

The Ontario government is investing over $26 million to establish a new training centre at LiUNA 183's skilled trades training campus located in Vaughan. This funding is part of the province's $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, which aims to support the training of more than one million workers across Ontario.

Once completed, the new training centre is expected to enable LiUNA 183 to train nearly 50,000 additional workers, effectively doubling its current training capacity to almost 100,000 workers. The training will focus on in-demand careers in construction, including roles such as bricklayers, heavy equipment operators, and concrete finishers.

As part of the project, LiUNA 183 plans to construct a new industrial workshop and classrooms on its Vaughan campus, which will provide both hands-on and in-class training. Additionally, the union hall will be renovated to accommodate the increased number of workers and apprentices.

The Skills Development Fund Capital Stream is designed to enhance training facilities and increase the capacity to train and upskill workers for careers in the trades. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the anticipated shortage of skilled tradespeople in Ontario, as many experienced workers are expected to retire in the coming years.

Applications for the fifth round of the SDF Training Stream are currently open, with up to $260 million in funding available. This round marks the largest funding opportunity since the program's inception in 2021, bringing the total investment in Ontario's workforce development to $1.4 billion.