Facing looming crisis in trades, Ontario kicks in $20 million for apprenticeship sponsorship program

monte
Labour minister Monte McNaughton

Ontario Construction News staff writer

The Ontario government is investing $20 million to help small businesses jointly sponsor and train apprentices through a new Group Sponsorship Grant program, increasing the number of people training and working in the skilled trades.

The program announced Dec 4 is designed to increase the number of people training and working in skilled trades and to reduce pressure employers to see an apprentice through to completion of training and provide apprentices with the support needed to become a registered journeyperson.

“We’re leaving no stone unturned in our mission to help those who are interested find good jobs in the skilled trades,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development. “We know that in the construction industry alone, we need 22,000 people to fill these jobs,” he said.

Existing and new group sponsors can apply and successful applicants may receive funding for up to three years.

“It’s mission critical and I believe that skilled trades are going to lead the recovery,” McNaughton said, adding there’s a particular need for welders, machinists, cooks and landscapers.

He said more people are needed to enter the trades to replace a large cohort of older workers who are at or near retirement age.

One in three journey persons working in Ontario today is over the age of 55.

“Our government’s Group Sponsorship Grant will bring more employers and apprentices together and will contribute to our province’s economic recovery.”

Group sponsors consist of two or more people who act as a single sponsor to collectively provide training to apprentices to grow their skills and help them gain work experience to improve their career success. They will share apprenticeship management and training responsibilities, including:

  • interviewing and selecting prospective apprentices and establishing a training network.
  • coordinating and monitoring the apprentice’s on-the-job workplace training.
  • submitting documentation for apprenticeship application, registration of training agreements and completion of the apprenticeship training programs.
  • supporting apprentices through the complete apprenticeship cycle, including registration, workplace and classroom-based training, completion and trade certification.
  • overseeing affiliated employers and organizations who provide apprenticeship training and ensure they are delivering apprenticeship training in accordance with the Ontario The application is available to existing and new group sponsors. Successful applicants may receive funding for up to three years.

“This program is a great example of how we are encouraging more employer participation in apprenticeship,” said Jill Dunlop, associate minister of children and women’s issues. “We want more women to discover meaningful careers in the skilled trades and the initiative we are announcing today will help businesses do just that while finding the talent they need.”

Ontario is also investing $274.9 million over the next two years to help apprentices pay for living expenses during their in-class training and ensure they receive a high-quality education in a safe environment.

group sponsorship

Employers and organizations can apply for the Group Sponsorship Grant at Ontario.ca/hireanapprentice.

The application is available to existing and new group sponsors. Successful applicants may receive funding for up to three years. Businesses interested in the Group Sponsorship Grant program may be eligible to receive grants of up to $1 million for the 2020-2021 year.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, it was projected that about 22,000 additional skilled trades workers will be needed over the next eight years in the construction sector. There are currently 119 group sponsors in Ontario with active apprentices.

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