Ontario Construction News staff writer
A new LiUNA Local 1059 training centre will be built in Walkerton, providing local workers and apprentices with essential hands-on training for careers in the skilled trades.
The Ontario government recently announced an investment of over $6.3 million from its Skills Development Fund to help fund the development of this $12.5-million project, which will be located in Walkerton’s East Ridge Business Park.
Mike Ropp, training director with LiUNA Local 1059, expressed that the new centre will greatly benefit the community and the construction industry in the region. He highlighted that many LiUNA members are employed at Bruce Power’s nuclear facility, as well as with various other local contractors, including Pickard Construction, Weber Contracting, and Sutherland Construction. “We do a variety of work, including road and bridge construction, utility distribution, and other infrastructure projects,” Ropp said. “This training centre will help us expand in these areas.”
LiUNA Local 1059, part of the Labourers’ International Union of North America, represents about 5,000 construction and industrial workers across Grey, Bruce, Huron, Perth, Middlesex, Oxford, Elgin, and beyond. The union already operates a large 90,000-square-foot training centre in London.
The new Walkerton facility will span approximately 23,000 square feet and is designed to meet the needs of the growing membership in the region. Currently, apprentices from the area must travel to London for training. The Walkerton centre will provide much-needed local access to training for both current members and newcomers from Huron, Perth, Grey, and Bruce counties.
“The new facility will be a great benefit for our apprentices, saving them travel time and providing them with a local place to train,” Ropp explained. “We aim to mirror the training model of our London facility, with hands-on learning opportunities in areas like laying sewer pipe, using directional drills for fibre optic cable installation, and concrete work.”
The centre will also feature modern classrooms to complement the practical training. Ropp emphasized the importance of hands-on experience, noting that for trades like construction, 90% of learning comes from working on the job, with the remaining 10% delivered through theoretical classroom instruction.
The site for the new training centre has already been secured, and LiUNA is currently working with the Municipality of Brockton to finalize the site plan approval. Construction is expected to begin in the spring, with the centre set to open by the end of 2026.
Ropp pointed out that the demand for skilled construction workers is on the rise, and LiUNA is committed to recruiting and training young workers. Through partnerships with school boards and initiatives like try-a-trade events, the union aims to attract the next generation of tradespeople. “We want to bring bright young people into the workforce and provide them with stable, well-paying jobs with benefits,” Ropp said.
Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody praised the new training centre, calling it a vital resource for local youth and a boost to the region’s workforce. “This facility will create invaluable opportunities for young people and support growth in our business community,” Peabody stated. “We are grateful to MPP Lisa Thompson and the provincial government for their support of this transformative project.”
MPP Lisa Thompson also emphasized the importance of investing in skilled trades training. “This investment will provide local residents with access to hands-on training, leading to rewarding careers and strengthening the regional economy,” she said. “Together, we are building a brighter future for Huron-Bruce and beyond.”
The Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund is part of a $1.4 billion initiative to recruit, train, and upskill workers, while also supporting the creation or improvement of training centres for skilled trades across the province.
