Downey unveils funding to help train marginalized youth in Barrie

NEWS RELEASE
DOUG DOWNEY, BARRIE-SPRINGWATER-ORO-MEDONTE MPP
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The Ontario government is investing $792,350 through the Skills Development Training Stream to train 75 workers in Barrie for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.

This brings Ontario’s total investment in skills development training through SDF to nearly $1.1 billion.

“Under the leadership of Premier [Doug] Ford, our government is proud to invest in programs that support training and up-skilling,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “This project will give people the necessary skills needed to land in-demand and well-paying jobs in their communities and contribute to our province.”

In partnership with Child Welfare Political Action Committee Canada, the Pathways to Apprenticeships (PTA) project aims to support marginalized and disadvantaged youth in Ontario by providing individualized assistance to those with a minimum of one year in care.

By increasing opportunities, PTA seeks to enable these youth to develop essential skills, understand the skilled trades sector, and participate in apprenticeship programs for sustained positive life outcomes.

“Investing in youth is investing in our future,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte. “Ensuring young people have access to good-paying, highly skilled jobs in the trades will help solidify their future and help them take the next steps to develop essential skills and foster long-term positive outcomes for their own lives and for our community at large.”

The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is open to a wide range of applicants, including employers, industry associations, labour unions, municipalities, hospitals and many more.

The funding announced today (Oct. 1) builds on the government’s mission to make Ontario the best place in the world to work, live and raise a family.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Ontario government on our Trades Ready Youth program, which will provide invaluable training opportunities for over 70 participants who are currently involved or have a history with the child welfare system,” said representatives from Child Welfare Political Action Committee. “These investments are crucial in helping current and former foster youth develop the skills they need to succeed in Ontario’s growing skilled trades sector.”

Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million job seekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying and fulfilling careers close to home.

Quick Facts

• So far, the Skills Development Fund Training Stream has supported over 700 training projects across the province.
• More than 420,000 of these participants are expected to be from an underrepresented group such as women, youth, persons with disabilities, racialized groups and Indigenous peoples.
• Nearly 219,000 jobs are 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.
• The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
• As announced in the 2024 Budget: Building a Better Ontario, the Ontario government is investing an additional $100 million through SDF to grow the trades workforce and build Ontario, bringing Ontario’s total SDF to over $1 billion.

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