Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington, and Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce today announced $419,892 in funding to provide local, free pre-apprenticeship training for those in the skilled trades.
This funding is part of the government’s investment in nearly 100 free pre-apprenticeship programs around the province to promote careers in the skilled trades to young people and help tackle the province’s historic labour shortage.
“Our government is making it easier for people seeking a career in the trades to enter the workforce,” said Thompson. “This funding will contribute to the growth and overall health of this industry by supporting pre-apprenticeship programs. In doing so, we’re bringing these programs closer to home while helping numerous individuals start a lifelong, lucrative career in the trades – and positioning our region for future growth and economic prosperity.”
Added Rae: “Attracting more people to the skilled trades will be integral as we look to achieve our goal of building 1.5 million homes over the next decade. There are over 140 trades in Ontario, offering good-paying jobs, including right here in Perth-Wellington.”
Led by the Technical Training Group, this project will provide those interested across Perth and Huron Counties with the skills and experience they need to get a good-paying job in the skilled trades, the release added. Training locations include Stratford, Listowel, and Clinton.
The programs are tuition-free and allow TTG to deliver welding, metal fabricating and machining training at school tech facilities in in the evenings and on weekends when not in use by day students. The programs also include an eight-week paid work placement with local employers which can lead to full time employment and apprenticeship opportunities in the manufacturing sector.
To help increase participation in the skilled trades, the government has recently made changes including making it easier for high school students to explore these careers, requiring women’s-only washrooms on constructions sites, announcing a $224 million investment in building and upgrading training centres. This funding is part of the government’s nearly $1.5 billion-dollar investment in the Skilled Trades Strategy, from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
Funding allocations are as follows:
Clinton $139,964; Listowel $139,964; Stratford $139,964.
