Ontario providing free job training for at-risk workers in London

London, Ont. — The Ontario government is providing $2.5 million to support four free training projects to help 385 jobseekers and 2,300 students who face barriers to employment prepare for meaningful jobs with local businesses in London and southwestern Ontario.

Research has shown that more than two-thirds of people over the age of 55 feel the job market is closed to them, while the youth in Ontario are unemployed at a rate twice as high as the provincial average, all while more than 17,000 jobs are going unfilled in the London area, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development said in a news release.

Led by Over 55 London, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Pathways Employment Help Centre and WePrep Inc./LiUNA Local 1059, the programs announced will prioritize those traditionally shut out of the job market, such as at-risk youth and those over the age of 55. The goal is to prepare jobseekers for well-paying careers in hospitality, retail, construction, manufacturing, property maintenance and other in-demand industries in London and the surrounding region.

Participants will have the chance to explore a range of employment and training options through hands-on training, apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, and financial literacy courses. They will also have access to free equipment like work boots and tools, and support with living expenses, child care, transportation and mental health resources.

These projects are funded through the government’s Skills Development Fund, an over $700 million initiative, which supports ground-breaking programs that connect jobseekers with skills and training. For more information on how to register, workers or employers may contact one of the participating organizations.