December 1, 2025 Woodbridge, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada is building one strong Canadian economy. To do so, Canada needs skilled trades workers to develop major infrastructure and build millions more homes. That means the newest generation of builders must get proper training.
Today, the Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), announced close to $20 million in funding for two local organizations, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, and the Carpenters' Regional Council.
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America will deliver virtual reality training on rigging and hoisting to over 4,000 journeypersons and apprentice Industrial Mechanic (Millwrights) across Canada. The Carpenter's Regional Council will provide access to 10 training hubs within the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners (UBC) training facilities across the country to prepare 4,000 journeyperson and apprentice carpenters with the skills and hands-on experience required to work with new and emerging green technologies including installing, repairing and maintaining the exteriors layers that protect and seal buildings.
These projects are funded by the Union Training and Innovation Program - Sustainable Jobs stream under the Government's Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, which also complements investments in the Sustainable Jobs Training Fund that helps 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. Budget 2025 has proposed a $75 million expansion of the Union Training and Innovation Program over three years, which will further boost union-based apprenticeship training in the Red Seal trades.
