The Ontario government is significantly enhancing its commitment to skilled trades training in Milton, announcing an investment of over $7.3 million in three key training projects. This funding, part of the Skills Development Fund (SDF), aims to prepare over 700 workers and job seekers for high-demand careers in various trades, bringing the total provincial investment in Milton to more than $20 million.
David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, highlighted the rapid growth of Milton’s population, which is expanding four times faster than the provincial average, and the government’s strategy to meet this demand by fostering new training and apprenticeship opportunities. “We are dedicated to enriching the local workforce and ensuring that individuals have access to rewarding, in-demand careers in the skilled trades, from welding to landscaping and even working with animals,” said Piccini.
Key partnerships include collaborations with the Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association, the Ontario Harness Horse Association, and the CWB Group-Industry Services. These organizations will deliver comprehensive programs such as the GROW & Apprenticeship training for horticultural careers, skills training and job placements in the equine sector, and welding programs targeting underrepresented groups.
This initiative is part of Ontario’s broader Skilled Trades Strategy, backed by more than $1.5 billion, which focuses on creating more training opportunities, enhancing connections between job seekers and employers, and promoting high-paying careers through programs like the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).
Since its inception in 2021, the Skills Development Fund has facilitated over 600 training projects, linking over half a million job seekers with essential skills and training for thriving careers. The 2024 budget further supports this vision with an additional $100 million to expand the trades workforce, demonstrating Ontario’s ongoing commitment to building a skilled, diverse, and future-ready workforce.