Two job skills training initiatives in Grey Bruce are receiving some funding from the provincial government.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker announced $3,639,511 in funding through the Skills Development Fund.
$2.8 million is going to the Owen Sound based Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium of Canada (EMC). It is proposing a program called, Expanding Skills and Paths to Employment for Youth in Advanced Manufacturing. It aims to address increasing demands on the future supply of the manufacturing workforce. It also looks to enable Ontario-wide access to new skills, micro-credentials, trades and on-the-job experience for youth in the manufacturing sector.
Walker’s office says the EMC’s plan is “Informed by a successful and validated proof-of-concept.” The EMC’s website says its total manufacturing audience includes over 40,000 employers and 600,000 manufacturing employees.
Meanwhile, A little over $788,000 is going to the Owen Sound Family YMCA to coordinate and support the training of 22 Incumbents and 22 job seekers through Personal Support Worker training.
Walker says in a statement, “Thank you to both EMC and the Owen Sound Family YMCA for implementing these programs which will help local residents improve their skills,” adding, “This is a great program that makes a real difference in our communities and I want to thank Minister McNaughton for his continued support.”
Walker’s office says provincial government’s Skills Development Fund, has provided over $200 million in funding for projects that address challenges to hiring, training, or retraining workers during the pandemic.
Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton says in a statement, “Through our Skills Development Fund, we’re giving workers the training they need to fill in-demand jobs, earn bigger paycheques and advance in rewarding careers that make their families and communities stronger.”
The release from Walker’s office says data suggest the need to replace retiring workers is greater for skilled trades workers than for other occupations. In 2016, nearly 1 in 3 journeypersons in Ontario were aged 55 or older. It says, in the fall of 2021, there were more than 360,000 jobs vacant in Ontario.
Ontario’s Skills Development Fund is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
