Ontario Training Jobseekers for In-Demand Careers as Electricians

Skills Development Fund supporting up-skilling in Niagara Region

The Voice of Canada : The Ontario government is working to fill the labour shortage by successfully training new Electrical Construction workers for in-demand careers in Niagara Region, together with union partners. Enabled by an investment of $672,700 through Ontario’s Skills Development Fund (SDF), the government has partnered with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 303 to deliver the Job Readiness Program for local apprentices and jobseekers.

“As Ontario faces the largest labour shortage in a generation, our government is delivering on our commitment to build up our workforce and grow our economy,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Together with our union partners, we’re creating training opportunities for Ontarians to develop the skills for well-paying, highly in-demand careers and land a better job with a bigger paycheck.”

Led by IBEW 303, the Job Readiness Program provided 16 apprentices with basic electrical and safety skills training, along with financial, budgeting, mentorship and job placement resources and included paid work placements on jobsites across Niagara Region. In the fourth quarter of 2023, there were nearly 1,500 job vacancies for electricians in Ontario.

Almost 500,000 additional workers are expected to be needed in skilled trades-related occupations over the next decade. Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has already helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying careers close to home.

As announced in 2024 Budget: Building a Better Ontario, the Ontario government is investing an additional $100 million through the SDF to grow the trades workforce and build Ontario, bringing Ontario’s total SDF investment to nearly $1 billion.

Quick Facts

• There were nearly 22,700 jobs recently going unfilled in the Hamilton-Niagara region.
• 61,000 electricians were employed in Ontario in 2023.
• The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario.

Quotes

“We know in-demand jobs in the skilled trades continue to grow. This announcement is good news for employers and workers in Niagara and will help prepare the next generation of highly skilled workers for the good jobs of today and tomorrow.”-Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West

“IBEW Local 303 proudly announces the second round of government funding for our skilled trades training program ‘Wiring the Future.’ This initiative offers enhanced training and career development in the electrical trade. Thanks to the continued government support, we’re empowering a new generation with the skills needed for industry success.”-Mark Cherney, Business Manager of IBEW Local 303