The Government of Canada is building one strong Canadian economy. To do so, Canada needs the strongest skilled trades workforce in the G7. By collaborating with unions, the federal government is supporting workers so they get the skills and training they need and is also creating well-paying sustainable jobs for generations to come.
Today, while speaking at a conference with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, announced close to $10 million in funding for the Western Joint Electrical Training Society. This project will provide innovative, hands-on training to construction electrician apprentices, journeypersons and other workers across Canada to address green skills, knowledge, and competency gaps.
Secretary of State Zerucelli also announced more than $3 million to the National Electrical Trade Council for a project that will train Red Seal powerline technicians to use drones for powerline maintenance to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Together, these projects will mean nearly 17,350 workers will be able to upgrade or gain new skills.
These projects are funded by the Sustainable Jobs stream of the Union Training and Innovation Program under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, and they complement investments in the Sustainable Jobs Training Fund that help thousands of workers to upgrade or gain the new skills required for a green economy.
Today's announcement is part of the Government's response to the skilled trades workforce's most pressing needs, including addressing barriers to successful entry, supporting progression and completion of apprenticeships, addressing the housing crisis, and increasing net-zero construction to unlock Canada's economic potential.
