Investing in Job Training in Northern Ontario

New funding will help over 2,000 people in and around Sudbury learn the skills they need to find new, better jobs

Our PC government is committed to building a robust network of training and skill opportunities that addresses the skills gap in Northern Ontario and prepares young people for meaningful and successful careers.

That’s why we’re investing $1.9 million to help more than 2,000 students, underemployed adults, Indigenous community members and other Northern Ontario workers learn the skills they need to find new, better jobs. Working with local partners, our PC government’s investment in local skills development will help address unemployment in Northern Ontario as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This funding will benefit Northern people from all walks of life, and help them find the kind of job they need to support themselves, their families and their communities,” said Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex and Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Soft skills like financial literacy, digital skills and coding, and the skilled trades are all pathways to new, exciting opportunities, new careers, and a bright future for residents of Northern Ontario.”

This investment includes:

• $500,000 for the Shwe Miikaan and Confederation College Construction Trades Training Project, to prepare up to 32 Indigenous community members for careers in local construction infrastructure.
• $487,000 for Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology, to train up to 75 public administration employees in northern municipalities around Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.
• $250,000 for the Wikwemikong Development Commission, to prepare up to 17 Indigenous community members on Manitoulin Island for employment as personal support workers through training based on Indigenous culture and practices.
• $217,200 for Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institut,e to train up to 15 Indigenous community members on Manitoulin Island as personal support workers
• $96,220 for Near North District School Board, to train up to 1,000 students in financial literacy and job-specific computer skills.

This funding, which comes from the Skills Catalyst Fund, is part of a $37 million investment by our government to help 15,000 people upgrade their skills and train for new jobs.

With this funding, we’re not only building skills and capacity, we are investing in the people and the potential of Northern Ontario.