Province Investing Millions in Local Jobs

$13-million to help prepare workers for jobs in construction, manufacturing, food processing

Provincial government spending more than $13-million in Niagara companies to help over 9,000 workers prepare for jobs in construction, manufacturing, and food processing.

After announcing millions for home construction in St. Catharines yesterday, Premier Doug Ford arrived later in the day in Niagara Falls for this announcement.

The money is through the Training Stream of the Skills Development Fund, and as the premier says to help Ontario workers in the face of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

The government is investing in 11 Niagara organizations for the free training programs.

• The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 303, which is receiving $635,728 to train new apprentices for in-demand jobs in the electrical industry,

• Civiconnect, which is receiving $2,500,000 to provide youth with hands-on training in the skilled trades,

• Silverline Group, which is receiving $2,186,430 to provide in-class and on-the-job training for workers in the construction industry,

• Food and Beverage Ontario, which is receiving $2,000,000 to provide skills training, job coaching and career resources for workers in the food and beverage manufacturing industry,

• The Steelcon Group of Companies, which is receiving $1,500,000 to help participants learn fundamental skills required in manufacturing and fabrication in the steel industry,

• The Niagara Home Builders' Association, which is receiving $1,397,179 to train more people for construction-related trades,

• Edge Factor, which is receiving $1,087,600 to leverage virtual reality to help youth and underrepresented groups to explore skilled trades through simulated experiences,

• Canadian Niagara Hotels, which is receiving $989,375 to train staff and support Niagara's tourism industry,

• The Niagara Industrial Association, which is receiving $581,500 to establish an academy that will provide on-the-job training to meet immediate and longer-term business needs of the region,

• Willowbrook Nurseries, which is receiving $349,400 to develop manufacturing training programs for horticultural workers,

• XpertVR, which is receiving $280,055 for a virtual reality training program that will provide access to realistic, customizable scenarios and prepare firefighting teams to face the challenges of their demanding roles.