Ontario Working for Workers by Investing $6,557,792 in Training for Good Jobs in Niagara
Beamsville – The Ontario government is working for workers by investing $6,557,792 in three Skills Development Fund projects in Niagara, including $2,503,500.00 for the Youth Skills Studio in Beamsville, a partnership between the Town of Lincoln and Civiconnect, and $547,492.00 for Edge Factor studio in Beamsville, in Niagara West.
The investment also includes $3,506,800.00 for a training initiative by Canadian Niagara Hotels in Niagara Falls.
These projects will offer workers in Niagara and across the province with training and educational programs needed to pursue in-demand and well-paying jobs.
Details were announced today by Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, along with Hon. Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
“We know in-demand jobs in the skilled trades continue to grow,” said MPP Oosterhoff.
“All three projects are designed to bring job seekers and job creators together to help fill Ontario’s labour gap.”
These initiatives are supported through the government’s Skills Development Fund, which has provided over $200 million in funding for innovative projects that address challenges to hiring, training, or retraining workers during the pandemic. The funding for the Youth Skills Studio is the largest non-infrastructure provincial investment in the Town of Lincoln.
“The pandemic has caused many of our local businesses to be short-staffed and in need of a talented young workforce,” said Sandra Easton, Mayor of the Town of Lincoln.
“With pandemic restrictions lifted, this extension of our Youth Skills Studio program could not come at a more critical time to support youth readiness into the workforce.”
“Edge Factor’s mission is to inspire people to explore, prepare and connect on their career journey,” said Jeremy Bout, Founder of Edge Factor studio.
“Apprenticeship is an incredible opportunity for students, parents and immigrants, and is a resource that is often not understood or considered. The Skills Development Fund funding will allow Edge Factor to raise awareness by telling the stories, connecting business, showcasing excellence and celebrating the power of apprenticeships in our communities.”
“Our government is working for workers every day. Through our Skills Development Fund, we’re giving workers the training they need to fill in-demand jobs, earn bigger paycheques and advance in rewarding careers that make their families and communities stronger,” said Minister McNaughton.
“Our government has a workers-first plan to deliver a stronger Ontario. As build today for a better tomorrow, we need all hands on deck. We are leaving nobody behind and we are getting it done.”
This investment builds on the government’s ongoing efforts to attract, support and protect workers, making Ontario the top place in the world to work, live and raise a family. It follows legislation Minister McNaughton recently passed that provides foundational rights for digital platform workers, requirements for employers to disclose their electronic monitoring of employees and for businesses in high-risk settings to have Naloxone kits on hand, and several red tape reductions to encourage out-of-province workers to help fill the generational labour shortage.