Ontario Investing Over $1.2 Million to Train Workers in Leeds-Grenville

Skills Development Fund will expand training facility and train over 700 skilled trades workers and youth

October 11, 2024
Premier's Office

BROCKVILLE —The Ontario government is investing over $2.1 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to train over 700 workers and young people for careers in utilities, electrical trades and motive power trades in Leeds-Grenville, including expanding a training facility in Kemptville. This investment brings Ontario’s total SDF investment in Leeds-Grenville workers to over $4.6 million to support over 2,600 workers, jobseekers and youth.

“With today’s investments, we’re helping hundreds of workers across the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville get the training and support they need to find good-paying jobs that will support the local economy,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Across the province, we’re rebuilding Ontario’s economy by investing in the skilled trades so we can attract investment and create better jobs with bigger paycheques for our world-class workers.”

The funding comes from both the Training and Capital streams of the SDF, which are designed to recruit, train and upskill workers and build or upgrade training centres for the skilled trades. These projects include:

• Four-O-One Electric Ltd.: $1,064,500 through SDF Training Stream to train and up-skill 77 electrical workers, including women and youth and to advance from their apprenticeship to Journeyperson certification, with training stipends to incentivize workers to build upon their skillsets and train for innovative techniques and equipment.
• Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre: $840,912 through the SDF Training Stream to train 45 apprentices and workers in the motive power sector, including in the Commercial Vehicle and Equipment Apprenticeship (CVEA) program. This investment will also enable the Centre to deliver one-day training programs for 545 students in grades 7-12 to encourage them to start a career in the motive power and other skilled trades.
• Devries Power and Utilities Solutions: $263,142 through SDF Capital Stream to build an expanded training facility in Kemptville that will train 40 new diesel heavy mechanics, as well as electrical and powerline workers. The upgraded facilities will increase capacity for in-house, on-the-job training for new hires and other workers, reducing the need for workers to travel outside of the region to access training opportunities.

“With one in three tradespeople nearing retirement, we must transfer the skills and expertise from the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of students,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why we’re partnering with local employers and educators to inspire more young people to join the trades, including launching the biggest Level Up! skilled trades career fair campaign in Ontario’s history to train the next generation of workers who will leverage the wisdom of experienced tradespeople to build Ontario's bright future.”

October 11 is the deadline to apply for the government’s fifth round of SDF Training Stream, the largest round since the fund launched in 2021 with up to $260 million in available funding. With the fifth round of SDF Training Stream and the Capital Stream, this brings the government’s investment up to $1.4 billion to grow Ontario’s workforce for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.

Quick Facts

• People interested in participating in the programs announced today should contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.
• To inspire young people to start a career in the trades, Ontario is bringing Level Up! skilled trades career fairs to 15 cities reaching over 35,000 students and parents – the biggest skilled trades career fair campaign in the province’s history. In Eastern Ontario, there is a Level Up! Career Fair in Ottawa on October 10 & 11. Grade 7 to 12 students interested in attending the career fairs are encouraged to contact their school board’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) recruiter, a teacher or school guidance counsellor to register.
• So far, the Skills Development Fund Training Stream has supported projects to help almost 600,000 people train for in-demand jobs, including:
  • Over 92,000 manufacturing workers
  • Over 60,000 construction workers
  • Over 36,000 PSWs and health care workers
• October 11 at 11:59 p.m. EDT is the deadline to apply for SDF Training Stream Round 5, which opened on July 29, 2024. Interested organizations can apply through Transfer Payment Ontario and send inquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• The Capital Stream of the Skills Development Fund is exclusively funded by the Government of Ontario.
• The Training Stream of the Skills Development Fund is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
• As the Government of Canada has unilaterally cut over $230 million annually from Ontario’s Labour Market Transfer Agreements, which support employment and settlement service programs, Ontario continues to call for the federal government to reinstate this critical funding for Ontario workers and jobseekers.

Quotes

"Our government’s investments through the Skills Development Fund are already helping workers in Leeds and Grenville get the training they need to pursue in-demand careers in the trades. With today’s announcement, we’re opening the door to a brighter future for over 700 more local workers and their families. This significant additional investment will also ensure our local employers have access to the talented workers they need to grow their business and boost our region’s economy."

- Steve Clark
MPP, Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

"We are very appreciative for the Skills Development Funding provided by the provincial government. This investment is vital to strengthening the trades and industrial sectors in Leeds Grenville, ensuring that our local workforce has access to training right here in our communities in order to meet the demands of our rapidly developing region. Thanks to the innovative partnership with the Upper a Canada District School Board, TR Leger and the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre, we are now better positioned to offer meaningful opportunities for skills training in North Grenville, especially for youth, encouraging them to build their careers and futures here at home."

- Nancy Peckford
Mayor, Municipality of North Grenville and Warden, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville

"We’re tremendously grateful for this Skills Development funding investment. It will help build our skilled workforce in Brockville and the surrounding area where there are unfilled jobs waiting. This funding will lead to opportunities for young people to remain in our area, as well as those who want to attain new skills to build their careers."

- Matt Wren
Mayor, City of Brockville

"Kemptville Campus is thrilled to receive this Skills Development Funding to expand our apprenticeship offerings in the Power Motive trades. Our unique partnership with the Upper Canada District School Board and with many industry partners, allows us to deliver training in North Grenville to youth and adult apprentices throughout Leeds Grenville and Eastern Ontario. Today's investment by the province supports innovative approaches to skills training, including a hybrid learning format that allows apprentices to continue working while completing their schooling. We also offer training for grade 7 to 12 students to introduce them to the trades as a career path. And we are excited to now offer Level 2 Apprenticeship training for Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technicians, allowing apprentices to continue to work, study and live in Leeds Grenville as they progress towards Red Seal Certification."

- Leela Ramachandran
Program Manager at Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre

Additional Resources

• Skills Development Fund Capital Stream
• Skills Development Fund Training Stream
• Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs