Supporting Construction Training in Hamilton
2021 Budget investment will prepare people for in-demand jobs and support economic growth
COVID-19 has created significant challenges for workers looking to get training for in-demand careers and businesses looking for highly-skilled talent.
That’s why our PC government is investing $592,000, as part of the Skills Development Fund, to help 150 people in Hamilton prepare for well-paying jobs in the construction sector to address the challenges brought on by COVID-19.
“Our government launched the Skills Development Fund to generate innovative solutions to get Ontario back to work and ensure businesses have access to the qualified people they need to recover from the pandemic,” said Monte McNaughton, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Through our new program in Hamilton, participants will learn world-leading best practices while gaining the critical skills and knowledge they need to fill in-demand jobs and support economic growth in the province.”
The Hamilton-based training program will also drive economic growth by helping address an expected shortage of construction workers at a time many key infrastructure projects are reaching their peak hiring periods. This initiative is part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy with funding being provided through the government’s $115 million Skills Development Fund.
To help workers get the training they need, our PC government is also proposing a new Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit in the 2021 Budget. This would be a temporary, refundable Personal Income Tax credit that would deliver support for 2021. The credit would provide up to $2,000 in relief for 50 per cent of eligible expenses.
The Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit would provide an estimated $260 million in support to about 230,000 people in 2021, or about $1,100 on average.