December 14, 2018 Ancaster, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada

Changes to the country's economy, including recent economic growth and demographic pressures, such as an aging workforce as well as innovation in technology have increased the demand for skilled tradespeople. The Government recognizes the importance of ensuring that Canadians, including those from key groups who face barriers to succeed in the trades, get the opportunity to explore and prepare for the skilled trades.

Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Seniors, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced funding of over $285,000 to Ironworkers Local 736 for its Welder Training and Testing Capacity Increase project.

This investment, which is funded through the Union Training and Innovation Program, will help Local 736 to purchase equipment, including a mobile welding training trailer, several welding machines, and a floor press, to train apprentices from key groups who face barriers, such as women, Indigenous people and newcomers. By giving apprentices access to the same equipment required by contractors in the industry, Local 736 will create a pool of qualified tradespeople from a number of Ontario locations including Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland, Hamilton, Kitchener, Waterloo, Goderich and Ingersoll.

To further help underrepresented groups in the trades, Budget 2018 announced three new initiatives:

• $46 million over 5 years, starting in 2018–19, with $10 million per year ongoing, for a new Pre-Apprenticeship Program;

• approximately $20 million over 5 years, starting in 2018–19, to support an Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women, a pilot project where women would receive a new taxable grant of $3,000 per year/level in eligible Red Seal trades for the first two years of training, up to a maximum amount of $6,000 per person, in trades where women are under-represented. This, in combination with the existing Apprenticeship Completion Grant valued at $2,000, could result in a combined grant support of up to $8,000 over the course of their training; and

• $10 million over 3 years, starting in 2018–19, for the new Women in Construction Fund which will support projects building on existing models that have proven to be effective in attracting women to the trades, such as mentoring, coaching and tailored supports.

As Canada's economy continues to grow and create good, well-paying jobs, the Government will ensure that all Canadians share in and benefit from this success.