News & Updates

A Community Action Strategy

The National Strategy to Support Women in the Trades was developed by employers, labour representatives, educators and equity representatives from multiple trades and regions to create sustainable and measurable change for women. This effort is being led by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA), a national, non-profit organization.

The Strategy includes the following goals:

• Increase the number of women apprentices, journeypersons and supervisors where they are underrepresented in proportion to the total number in a skilled trades workplace.




• Create respectful and welcoming workplaces through meaningful policy and education. Workplaces should be safe, healthy, inclusive and equitable, free of harassment, bullying, and discrimination.

"Ontario's demand for workers in the trades is on the rise, and we want to attract more young and talented people into the exciting and challenging world of trades," "Becoming an ironworker or a sprinkler fitter should be as obvious as becoming a firefighter or a lawyer” said Minister McNaughton.

What trade are you interested in?

Manufacturing Quality: Statistical Analysis RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• All course fees and materials are provided to students and employers at no cost
• Training will be completed online
• Individuals who successfully complete all four courses in this pilot project will receive a Recognition of Professional Development

Drive Ability – Opening Doors Fuel Your Talent Pipeline

Funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD), The Drive Ability program aims to address the skilled labour needs of automotive and advanced manufacturing employers in Ontario. This initiative is a collaborative partnership between seven post-secondary institutions (George Brown College, York University, Georgian College, Mohawk College, Fanshawe College, Conestoga College, and Sheridan College) that leverages broad expertise to address talent shortages and provide quality work integrated learning opportunities for students, apprentices, and new graduates.

Work placements are typically four-month terms, depending on the discipline, and begin in May, September, and January. The ministry requires the length of a placement to be at least 10 weeks and can last up to four months. Employers may be eligible for multiple work placements during the program lifecycle.

Employer Eligibility

The following employers are eligible for the work placement incentive:

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the auto sector.

Manufacturers in the automotive supply chain to OEMs. At least 50 per cent of the company’s total sales revenue must come from the automotive supply sector.

Advanced Manufacturers with a footprint in the auto sector. At least 30 per cent of their company’s total sales revenue must come from the automotive supply sector. Advanced manufacturing employers may fall under one or more of the following areas: production activities dependent on ICT (Information and Communications Technology), automation, computation, software, sensing, and data transfer networking (Internet of Things, or IoT) technology developers/suppliers.

Participant Eligibility

Students – diploma, certificate and degree students – in any year of study and including graduate and international students.

Recent Graduates – individuals who completed their academic program of study (a minimum of a one-year program) at a publicly-assisted postsecondary institution within the previous eighteen months and currently have no full-time job/employment.

Apprentices – individuals who, at the beginning of their work placement under this program, have signed new Registered Training Agreement (RTAs). Pursuant to an RTA, the Apprentice will receive training in a trade required as part of an apprenticeship program in Ontario. The individual may have worked with the employer prior to starting the RTA, but not as an Apprentice.

Funding

$3,000 per eligible and completed work placement by an eligible participant (i.e. student, recent grad or apprentice).

$5,000 per eligible and completed work placement by an eligible participant with one or more disabilities.

Wage support from all sources (e.g. the employer, Co-op Education Tax Credit and Career Ready Fund’s Auto Stream) cannot exceed 100% of the wages paid to a participant.

TORONTO — The Ontario Government is investing $43 million in expanded youth training programs to give young people exposure to more employment options. The programs will help increase awareness and encourage youth to acquire the skills that will start them down the path to lifelong success while supporting Ontario's economic recovery and future prosperity.

Today, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, and Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, announced the investments and the appointment of three industry leaders to advise on attracting youth to the trades, in London at the Children's Museum.

"Ontario's demand for workers in the trades is on the rise, and we want to attract more young and talented people into the exciting and challenging world of trades," said Minister McNaughton. "Becoming an ironworker or a sprinkler fitter should be as obvious as becoming a firefighter or a lawyer. Our government is committed to ensuring that all young people across the province have the resources they need to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to get good jobs."

The government's investments to attract and train youth in the trades include: