Ontario Connecting Internationally-Trained Jobseekers with Employers in Brampton

Over $500,000 through Skills Development Fund supporting over 1,200 people

The Voice of Canada : The Ontario government is investing over $500,000 through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream in two projects in Brampton. These projects will provide free training to more than 1,200 internationally-trained jobseekers, helping them land careers in in-demand and rewarding fields, while meeting the needs of local employers.

“As Ontario continues to attract record private sector investments that are creating thousands of new jobs, we’re helping jobseekers and workers develop the skills they need to earn better jobs with bigger paycheques,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By partnering with local employers and community organizations, these projects are helping over 1,200 Brampton residents leverage their international training to land rewarding careers in Brampton’s most in-demand sectors, from construction to healthcare.”

The projects will help tackle the province’s labour shortage and connect Ontario workers with high-paying jobs in their communities. Funding is going to the following organizations:

• Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Centre: $350,000 to provide job-ready training to internationally-trained newcomers and connect them with local employers so they can fill in-demand jobs and give back to their communities.
• Dynacare Gamma Laboratory Partnership: $200,500 to provide training to students to become medical laboratory technologists in the health care industry and support health system capacity.

“Brampton is the fastest growing big city in Canada, offering the national economy one of the youngest, most diverse and ambitious workforces in the country. The benefits of strategic investments to support training through the province’s Skills Development Fund go beyond our borders in Brampton, reaching across Ontario,” said Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton. “I would like to congratulate the Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Centre and Dynacare Gamma Laboratory Partnership on receiving this grant and thank the provincial government and Minister Piccini for their continued support and collaboration in building a prosperous future for Brampton.”

Applications are open for the government’s fifth round of SDF, which opened on July 29, 2024, with up to $260 million in available funding, the largest funding round since the Fund launched in 2021. The fifth round of funding brings Ontario’s total investment through the SDF Training Stream to up to $1.4 billion. As Ontario continues to grow, the SDF will help ensure skilled workers are trained and ready to fill rewarding jobs in in-demand sectors in their communities.

Quick Facts

• So far, the Skills Development Fund Training Stream has supported projects to help almost 600,000 people train for in-demand jobs, including:
  • Over 92,000 manufacturing workers
  • Over 60,000 construction workers
  • And over 36,000 PSWs and health care workers
• In the Toronto Economic Region, which includes Brampton, there were nearly 106,000 jobs going unfilled in the first quarter of 2024.
• In May, there were close to 195,000 jobs going unfilled across the province.
• People interested in participating in the programs announced today are encouraged to contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.
• SDF Training Stream Round 5 applications opened July 29, 2024, and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until October 4, 2024. Organizations including non-profits, Indigenous Skills and Employment Training agreement holders, unions, industry and employer associations, municipalities and other organizations are eligible to submit new and innovative project proposals and apply for funding. Interested organizations can apply through Transfer Payment Ontario and send inquiries to skillsdevelopmentfund@ontario.ca.
• The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Quotes

“Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Centre Brampton is grateful to Premier Ford and Minister Piccini in their continued commitment to skills development through the Skills Development Fund. The Sikheya Institute, a project run by our Gurdwara, is dedicated to supporting newcomers with skills training in our community. This crucial funding enables us to enhance our training programs, ensuring a smoother transition for newcomers and connecting them with resources essential to their professional success. We are grateful for the partnership that helps bridge the gap in support services and provides vital opportunities for these individuals to thrive.”-Sulinder Singh, President of Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Centre Brampton

“The Skills Development Fund will help Dynacare to train the next generation of medical laboratory professionals and address a critical labour shortage. This investment will benefit all residents of Ontario by building a stronger, more sustainable healthcare system. We look forward to partnering with the province on this transformational initiative.”-Vito Ciciretto, Dynacare CEO

“This investment from the Skills Development Fund will provide vital training and create pathways to well-paying jobs in in-demand careers. As we continue to Build Ontario, we must do all we can to ensure that we bridge the gap between skilled workers and local employers so that our local communities can thrive now, and into the future.”-Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity and Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton Centre

“Today’s $500,000 investment into two important training projects is great news for Brampton. By empowering workers, newcomers, and students with the skills they need to earn better paying jobs, our government is committed to building an Ontario that works for everyone.”- Graham McGregor
Parliamentary Assistant to the Solicitor General and Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton North

“Brampton proudly supports Premier Ford and Minister Piccini in announcing the latest round of the Skills Development Fund. This vital initiative demonstrates the Ontario Government’s dedication to advancing industry, apprenticeships, and training for the future skilled workforce, directly benefiting our Brampton community. By investing in these programs, we are fostering growth and opportunity within Brampton and strengthening our city’s role in Ontario’s economic landscape. We look forward to continuing our partnership to build a brighter future for Brampton and all of Ontario.”- Harkirat Singh
Deputy Mayor of the City of Brampton

“Today’s investment is a win-win for Brampton jobseekers, employers and our economy. By equipping internationally trained newcomers and students with the skills they need to succeed in in-demand fields, we’re building a stronger community for everyone.”– Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria
Minister of Transportation and Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton South

“At the City of Brampton, we welcome the incredible opportunities that will be created by our Provincial partners through the Skills Development Fund. Brampton has seen unprecedented economic growth in the past few years, and our skills talent has been the number one factor in attracting major investments in our city. As the various industries flourish and grow, this Fund will unlock opportunities for more of our residents to join the work force and narrow the labour gap. We are committed to working with the Government of Ontario in funding a sustainable talent pipeline.”– Gurpartap Singh Toor
Councillor & Chair of Economic Development for the City of Brampton

“Thank you to the Government of Ontario for this investment in job creation and skills development in the skilled workforce in Brampton. This is an investment in Brampton that will bolster opportunities for youth. It’s great to see our provincial government support organizations like Sikheya Institute that provide mentorship opportunities, workshops and support to students trying to find their vocation.”– Navjit Kaur Brar, Councillor for the City of Brampton

“As Ontario continues to grow, we’re thrilled to announce the fifth round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) with up to $260 million in available funding—the largest since the Fund launched in 2021. This brings our total investment through the SDF Training Stream to an impressive $1.4 billion. The SDF is pivotal in ensuring that our skilled workers are trained and ready to fill rewarding jobs in in-demand sectors across our communities. The Government of Ontario is excited to highlight projects like the partnerships with Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Centre, which received $350,000 to provide job-ready training to internationally trained newcomers and connect them with local employers. Additionally, Dynacare Gamma Laboratory has received $200,500 to train students to become medical laboratory technologists, supporting our health system’s capacity.”– Amarjot Sandhu, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Infrastructure and Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton West