The Ontario government has announced a $64.2 million investment over the next three years to expand in-class apprenticeship training through the In-Class Enhancement Fund (IEF), helping up to 12,000 apprentices gain the skills they need for rewarding careers in the skilled trades. The investment will create up to 4,000 new training seats each year and cover the $10-per-day Level 1 classroom fees, making training more accessible for apprentices across the province.
“We need to keep building, no matter what global challenges come our way, to deliver on our $200 billion plan to build more infrastructure like highways, hospitals and schools,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By expanding access to in-class training and removing barriers, we’re helping more apprentices gain the skills they need for good-paying jobs, while protecting them in the face of U.S. tariffs.”
The funding will enable apprentices to start and complete their training more efficiently, supporting Ontario’s growing demand for skilled trades workers needed to build schools, hospitals, highways, and other major infrastructure projects. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, emphasized that “through this investment, our government is ensuring that apprentices get the education, training and skills they need to get rewarding, good-paying jobs that will build the Ontario of tomorrow.”
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address skilled labour shortages in the province. The government is exploring ways to increase apprenticeship hiring on publicly funded construction projects and is working with Skilled Trades Ontario to expand Certificate of Qualification testing. Apprentices will soon be able to book exams at certified testing centres closer to home, choosing their preferred date, time, and location. This will reduce travel time, minimize disruptions to work schedules, and speed up certification.
“This investment is exactly what Ontario’s skilled trades workforce needs right now,” said Marc Arsenault, Business Manager and Secretary Treasurer of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario. “Expanding in-class training capacity means more apprentices can start and finish their programs on time, with fewer financial and logistical barriers. It’s a smart, practical step that ensures major infrastructure projects are built by a well-trained, local workforce. Our members are ready to build Ontario’s future, and this kind of support helps get them on the tools faster and safer.”
The IEF is part of a larger $159.3 million commitment outlined in Ontario’s 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, aimed at strengthening skilled trades programs. Since 2020, the province has invested over $2.1 billion in the skilled trades sector, including initiatives through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream. This latest investment underscores Ontario’s commitment to training and supporting the next generation of tradespeople to meet economic growth and infrastructure demands.