Ontario Building Training Centre for 50,000 New Construction Workers

Provincial investment of over $26 million comes from new Skills Development Fund Capital Stream

VAUGHAN — The Ontario government is investing over $26 million to build a new training centre at LiUNA 183’s skilled trades training campus in Vaughan. This investment comes from the province’s new $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, which was announced by Premier Doug Ford in June 2023 and which will support the training of more than one million workers across Ontario. With this new training centre, LiUNA 183 will be able to train nearly 50,000 additional new workers, doubling their current training capacity to almost 100,000 workers, for in-demand careers in construction across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), such as bricklaying, heavy equipment operators and concrete finishing.

“Through our new $224 million Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, our government is continuing to support the world-class Ontario workers who are rebuilding our province’s economy,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I’m so pleased that we are able to work with LiUNA 183 to help nearly 50,000 additional workers from across the GTA access the skills and training they need to find better jobs and bigger paycheques in the skilled trades.”

As part of this capital project, LiUNA 183 will build a new industrial workshop and new classrooms on their Vaughan campus to deliver both hands-on and in-class training, as well as a renovated union hall with increased capacity for the new workers and apprentices. LiUNA’s Vaughan skilled trades campus delivers their largest training program in Canada and offers students the opportunity to build a full-size two-storey residential home within the centre.

“Under Premier Ford, our government has an ambitious plan to build Ontario: from new housing that families can call home, to highways and public transit connecting our communities, and clean energy projects powering our economy,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration Training and Skills Development. “But 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. That’s why we’re partnering with LiUNA 183 to train almost 100,000 new construction workers who will leverage the wisdom of experienced tradespeople to build Ontario’s bright future.”

LiUNA 183’s new training centre is an example of how Ontario is partnering with labour organizations, employers, and local organizations through the SDF Capital Stream to increase their capacity to train and upskill workers for in-demand careers in the trades through building, expanding, and repairing training facilities. The SDF Capital Stream program complements the successful SDF Training Stream, through which the government helps organizations deliver training for in-demand careers in the trades, including construction, manufacturing, technology and healthcare.

Applications are open for the government’s fifth round of SDF Training Stream with up to $260 million in available funding, the largest funding round since the fund launched in 2021. With the fifth round of SDF Training Stream and the Capital Stream, this brings the government’s investment up to $1.4 billion to grow Ontario’s workforce for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.

Quick Facts

  • Once complete, the training centre will increase access to apprenticeship training by up to 40 per cent for people to gain new skills and train for successful jobs, including women, youth, and other underrepresented groups.
  • The LiUNA Local 183 Training Centre provides apprenticeship training, construction skills training and health and safety training at 6 sites including Vaughan, Cobourg, Toronto, Barrie, Kingston and Cambridge.
  • In 2023, 1.3 million people worked in skilled trades-related occupations in Ontario, and the province is expected to need over 500,000 more workers in skilled trades-related occupations over the next decade.
  • Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has aimed to help almost 600,000 workers train for in-demand sectors, including over 66,000 construction workers, over 92,000 manufacturing workers and over 36,000 PSWs and health-care workers.
  • SDF Training Stream Round 5 opened on July 29, 2024, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until October 4, 2024. Interested organizations can apply through Transfer Payment Ontario and send inquiries to skillsdevelopmentfund@ontario.ca.
  • Organizations including non-profits, Indigenous Band offices, Indigenous Skills and Employment Training agreement holders, unions and municipalities are eligible to submit project proposals and apply for funding.
  • The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario.

Quotes

“Honouring the legacy of the giants before us and empowering our next generation of industry leaders and community builders, the Skills Development Fund Capital Stream extends beyond brick and mortar. It is about working together to invest in opportunity, invest in people and transform lives. Through our continued collaboration with the provincial government, industry and non-profit partners, we are breaking down barriers, advancing innovative training programs and building pathways for a strong, skilled and inclusive workforce that is a reflection of the vibrant communities we call home. Together, we are building, connecting and strengthening an Ontario for all.”

– Joseph Mancinelli
Canadian Director & International Vice President of LiUNA

“As our membership now surpasses more than 70,000 members, the demand for a highly skilled and versatile workforce continues to grow. To meet this demand, we have made significant improvements to our training facilities at our Vaughan campus, including a new Tunnel Rescue and Training Centre, to ensure every member has the necessary specialized training to perform work safely and effectively. With this investment through the Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, we will be able to double the capacity of our campus, further enhance our training facilities and bring more young men and women into the construction industry. We are proud to partner with Premier Ford and Minister Piccini to grow the construction workforce as we build Ontario together.”

– Jack Oliveira
LiUNA 183 Business Manager

“LiUNA represents thousands of energy workers in Ontario who have helped build the province’s world-class clean energy system that has become the envy of the world. With Ontario’s energy demand forecasted to rise sharply over the coming decades, nuclear energy will play a critical role to deliver clean and affordable power for Ontario families. These large scale clean energy projects will be built by thousands of new skilled workers, creating generational opportunities for good-jobs and prosperity for workers and families.”

– Stephen Lecce
MPP, King—Vaughan

“I want to thank Premier Ford, Minister Piccini and the Province of Ontario for their investment in the future of Vaughan’s economy. The new LiUNA 183 Training Centre located in Vaughan will help train nearly 50,000 new Ontario workers. As one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, we must do everything possible to manage this expansive growth and build a city where everyone can thrive. I look forward to continuing to work with the provincial government, our Council, staff and residents on building a bright future.”

– Steven Del Duca
Mayor, City of Vaughan