Ontario accepting proposals for Skills Development Training Stream to help people on social assistance, including those with criminal records, find careers

Toronto – The Ontario government’s fourth round of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream will support programs that help them get training, find meaningful work and tackle the labour shortage.

The funding will prioritize programs that propose innovative training solutions to help people on social assistance and with prior criminal records find meaningful employment in critical industries like health care, hospitality, auto-manufacturing, information technology and the skilled trades.

The announcement was made in Dresden, Ont., where the government announced a $465,000 investment through a previous round of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to prepare 24 young people for well-paying careers in the skilled trades in Chatham-Kent county. SkillShift will provide a free six-week introductory course that teaches participants essential skills for construction, such as blueprint reading, scissor lift certifications, as well as financial literacy and soft skills, with mentors, networking opportunities and $1,125 for equipment and transportation. Participants will also receive a paid two-week job placement with a local employer.

“This $465,000 investment in our youth through the Skills Development Fund is a transformative step,” says Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington. “Empowering youth for rewarding careers in construction and skilled trades not only secures their future but also fuels the growth of Chatham-Kent-Leamington as a thriving community.”

For more information or to apply for funding, visit ontario.ca.