The Ontario government is investing more than $26 million to build a new training centre at LiUNA 183’s skilled trades training campus in Vaughan, Ontario.

The union will be able to train nearly 50,000 additional workers, doubling their current training capacity to almost 100,000 workers, for in-demand careers in construction across the Greater Toronto Area such as bricklaying, heavy equipment operators and concrete finishing.

This investment comes from the province’s new $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, which was announced in June 2023.

The project includes an industrial workshop and classrooms to deliver both hands-on and in-class training, as well as a renovated union hall with increased capacity for workers and apprentices. Currently, LiUNA’s Vaughan campus offers their largest training program where students have the opportunity to build a full-size two-storey residential home within the centre.

“As a large share of experienced tradespeople are retiring over the coming years, we must transfer the skills and expertise from the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of students,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration training and skills development.