Making it Easier for Businesses to Take on Apprentices
New program provides job seekers with training supports and reduces administration costs for businesses
Our PC government is making it easier for employers to get the skilled workers they need, and for workers to get high-quality training.
Today, we were pleased to announce that we are investing $20 million through the new Group Sponsorship Grant program to help make it easier for small businesses to jointly sponsor and train apprentices, increasing the number of people training and working in the skilled trades. The new Group Sponsorship Grant program will encourage small- to medium-sized employers to collaboratively hire and train apprentices
“We’re leaving no stone unturned in our mission to help those who are interested find good jobs in the skilled trades. Our government’s Group Sponsorship Grant will bring more employers and apprentices together and will contribute to our province’s economic recovery,” said Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex and Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “This program is a great example of how we are encouraging more employer participation in apprenticeship, helping businesses find the talent they need while engaging and preparing people for meaningful careers in the skilled trades.”
Group sponsors consist of two or more people who act as a single sponsor to collectively provide training. Our grant will reduce pressure on any one employer to see an apprentice through to completion of training and provide apprentices with the support needed to become a registered journeyperson. It also exposes apprentices to a wider range of skills and is proven to increase their career success.
Part of the government’s Skilled Trades Strategy laid out in the 2020 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover, this investment will help ensure the province has a supply of skilled workers to meet current and future labour market needs.
This is one more measure our government is taking to help people train for in-demand jobs that provide for them and their families.