Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is investing $13 million to help more than 1,000 workers and jobseekers in the Sudbury area qualify for employment in the boiler making, welding, mining and ironworking sectors.
“To compete globally and secure our future, we must ensure Northern Ontario is ready to deliver the critical minerals and energy the world relies on,” David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said in a statement.
“As we face global economic uncertainty, we’re doubling down on local training projects that give northern workers the skills they need to seize new opportunities at home, while building the made-in-Ontario workforce that will strengthen our supply chains and drive nation-building infrastructure across Canada.”
Piccini was joined by members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 128 in Sudbury, which is receiving $5,735,262 to purchase new equipment for its Burlington-based training centre and build a training facility in Sudbury.
This will double the union’s capacity to help more than 660 new apprentices and journey-persons train for jobs in the energy and construction sectors, the statement said. Workers will receive several safety certifications, with training focused on telehandlers and elevated work platforms.
Through the Skills Development Fund Training and Capital Streams, the Ontario government is partnering with organizations in the region to deliver free training programs in sectors affected by U.S. tariffs and policies:
- Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is receiving $5,000,000 for on-the-job training and employment in mining occupations across Northern Ontario.
- UBC Millwrights Local 1425 is receiving $1,070,321 to expand mobile welding training for participants in Sudbury, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie.
- Ironworkers Local 786 is receiving $890,587 to upgrade training equipment and expand programming for ironworkers in Sudbury.
- Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. is receiving $580,000 to develop and deploy virtual reality training modules for mining, construction, and forestry workers.
