The Ontario government has allocated $224 million under its Skills Development Fund to help build, expand or upgrade training centres for the skilled trades. Qualifying organizations will be invited to submit applications later this spring.

The potential roster of recipients includes existing training centres — typically operated by labour unions, industry associations that draw their workforces from the skilled trades and/or community colleges — and organizations with plans to build new facilities. Further details are promised in the pending provincial government, to be released March 23.

“We’re supporting employers, unions and other training providers so that they can build and improve the facilities we need to attract and prepare our next generation of skilled trades workers,” says Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

“As our population grows, we’re working hand-in-hand with labour unions, business groups and our colleges and universities to train the skilled workforce that will build the roads, highways, houses, public transit, hospitals and schools our economy needs,” concurs Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “It’s all hands on deck.”