SUDBURY — The Ontario government is investing over $13 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training and Capital Streams to help over 1,000 workers and jobseekers in Sudbury and surrounding areas prepare for in-demand jobs in boilermaking, welding, mining and ironworking sectors. This brings Ontario’s total SDF investment in Northern Ontario close to $146 million and is part of the government’s $2.5 billion investment through the SDF to protect Ontario workers by giving them the tools they need to land rewarding, good-paying jobs, while keeping Ontario competitive in the face of U.S. tariffs.
“To compete globally and secure our future, we must ensure Northern Ontario is ready to deliver the critical minerals and energy the world relies on,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “As we face global economic uncertainty, we’re doubling down on local training projects that give Northern workers the skills they need to seize new opportunities at home, while building the made-in-Ontario workforce that will power our economy, strengthen our supply chains and drive nation-building infrastructure across Canada.”
Minister Piccini was joined by members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 128 in Sudbury, which is receiving $5,735,262 through the Skills Development Fund Training and Capital Streams to purchase new equipment for their Burlington-based training centre and build a new training facility in Sudbury. This will double the union’s capacity to help more than 660 new apprentices and journeypersons train for in-demand jobs in the energy and construction sectors. Workers will receive several safety certifications, with training focused on telehandlers and elevated work platforms, to help them prepare for better jobs with bigger paycheques.
Through the SDF, the Ontario government is also partnering with four other organizations in the region to deliver free training programs in sectors affected by U.S. tariffs and policies:
- Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is receiving $5,000,000 to deliver on-the-job training and employment for participants in critical mining occupations across Northern Ontario.
- UBC Millwrights Local 1425 is receiving $1,070,321 to expand mobile welding training for participants in Sudbury, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie.
- Ironworkers Local 786 is receiving $890,587 to upgrade training equipment and expand programming for ironworkers in Sudbury.
- Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. (NORCAT) is receiving $580,000 to develop and deploy virtual reality (VR) training modules for mining, construction, and forestry workers.
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