Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal government is putting close to $9 million into new training programs for sheet metal workers as it looks to expand the supply of skilled tradespeople needed for major infrastructure and housing construction over the next decade.
The funding, announced Tuesday by Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli, will support the Building and Construction Trades Department — also known as Canada’s Building Trades Unions — in developing and testing green training for apprentices and journeypersons. The program is expected to reach about 2,000 workers.
The investment comes as Ottawa warns of significant labour shortages ahead. Federal estimates suggest more than 410,000 construction jobs will need to be filled by 2033, including nearly 190,000 due to retirements, at the same time governments aim to double annual homebuilding.
Zerucelli said the spending is intended to ensure workers can adapt to changing technologies and the shift to low-carbon construction practices.
The project is funded through the Union Training and Innovation Program’s Sustainable Jobs stream, part of the federal apprenticeship strategy. The program has supported more than 145,000 participants since 2017.
Budget 2025 proposes to add $75 million to the program over three years, which the government says would further expand union-based apprenticeship training in the Red Seal trades.
Ottawa–Vanier–Gloucester MP Mona Fortier said the funding responds to training needs in local communities. Sean Strickland, executive director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, said the investment will help prepare workers for industry changes.
The Sustainable Jobs stream is expected to support roughly 29,000 workers between 2025 and 2030.
More information on skilled trades careers and training supports is available at Canada.ca/skilled-trades.
