Northern Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario and the federal government are investing more than $7.2 million to help more than 500 workers in northern Ontario gain skills for in-demand careers.
Funding is being provided through Skills Advance Ontario as part of the Canada-Ontario Workforce Tariff Response, a $228.8-million initiative aimed at helping workers affected by tariffs and global trade disruptions retrain, upgrade their skills and remain competitive in key sectors.
The program will be delivered over four to 18 weeks in several Ontario communities, including Sault Ste. Marie. It will combine industry-recognized safety certifications with paid work placements.
Four organizations across northern Ontario are receiving funding:
- Algoma Steel Inc. is receiving $1,486,153 to upskill 250 employees through technical and skills training as the company’s operations evolve.
- The Canadian Skills Training and Employment Coalition is receiving $1,550,992 to help 120 manufacturing workers develop skills for careers in trades such as welding and industrial mechanic.
- Confederation College of Applied Arts & Technology is receiving $2,780,400 to help 110 workers and jobseekers affected by forestry and pulp and paper sector restructuring in Thunder Bay transition into in-demand careers. Training will include heavy equipment operation, millwrighting, welding, electrical work and commercial driving.
- Washagamis Bay Investment Corporation is receiving $1,395,150 to train 40 jobseekers, primarily Indigenous participants from the Treaty #3 region, for careers in housing construction, forestry and telecommunications infrastructure in the Kenora area.
“Ontario’s greatest competitive advantage is our world-class workforce,” Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Minister David Piccini said in a statement. “Through these investments, we’re helping workers transition into good-paying careers, supporting employers facing economic pressures and strengthening the industries that will drive Ontario’s future prosperity.”
The Canada-Ontario Workforce Tariff Response is expected to help up to 27,000 workers across Ontario retrain and upgrade their skills. The initiative includes support for workers in sectors including softwood lumber, steel and automotive manufacturing.
Employment Ontario provides free employment services and training programs for jobseekers, workers and employers online, by phone or chat, and in person at more than 700 service locations across Ontario.
The Employment Ontario network helped more than 693,000 Ontarians in the 2024-25 fiscal year.