Ontario is investing in training for Indigenous people in the Thunder Bay area

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The Province announced funding of nearly $2 million recently for two separate projects.

MPP Greg Rickford visited the Anishinabek Employment and Training Service Centre (AETS) to announce nearly $500,000 in two pre-apprenticeship training projects for 35 Indigenous people. The funding will allow participants to get their start in high-demand trades such as carpentry, welding, and drywall, acoustic and lathing application.

MPP Rickford also announced an additional investment of $250,000 for AETS through the Indigenous Economic Development Fund. This application-based funding will go towards preparing participants for apprenticeship opportunities in the construction and carpentry sectors. This includes job readiness training, level one construction/carpentry training and an eight-week placement.

“Our government knows employers are looking for people ready to help fill vacancies in the Thunder Bay area,” said Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Indigenous Affairs. “By funding projects like this, we’re giving people in this community the chance to put their skills to work in good, permanent jobs.”

“These apprenticeship training opportunities along with our partnerships, will provide First Nation citizens with the stepping stones to build skills and gain knowledge needed to realize their career goals,” said John DeGiacomo, Executive Director of AETS.

Pre-apprenticeship training promotes careers in the trades for all Ontario residents. These programs are free, last up to one year and often combine classroom training with an eight to 12-week work placement.

Rickford was at Supercom Industries last Thursday to announce close to $1.5 million funding through SkillsAdvance Ontario over the next three years for training and upskilling 172 new and current Indigenous employees in heavy equipment operation, mechanical harvesting, AZ truck driving, tower assembly and construction.

Supercom Industries is partnering with Nextbridge Infrastructure to build and maintain the 450-kilometer East-West Tie Transmission Line being built outside of Thunder Bay. The Province’s funding will help the six First Nations and the communities around the East-West Tie Line build a skilled labour force for this and future energy projects.

“The East West Tie continues to bring economic and training opportunities to Thunder Bay and the surrounding region,” said Rickford. “I am proud to announce Ontario’s support for Supercom and commend the hard work and dedication of all involved to get this project up and running, while seeing hundreds of local residents receive valuable skills training and education.”

The SkillsAdvance Ontario project will offer multiple training opportunities tand re-skilling chances for workers, changing their and their families’ lives, and overall positively impacting the economy and communities’ well-being in Northern Ontario,” said Cris Serban, President and CEO of Supercom Industries.

“These projects are designed to help both businesses and job seekers in a region,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “When you tailor a training curriculum around the needs of local employers and offer effective employment supports for the participating trainees, you can achieve outcomes that make a difference.”

Supercom Industries Limited is a partnership between Fort William, Red Rock, Pays Plat, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, Pic Mobert, and Michipicoten First Nations and Thunder Bay-based coalition Nextbridge Infrastructure (NextEra Energy Canada, Enbridge and OMERS Infrastructure).

About one in five new jobs in Ontario over the next five years is expected to be in trades-related occupations.

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