Skilled workers are the engine that drives Canada’s economy and it needs more skilled trades workers to continue building industries in every corner of the country. Demographic shifts and high retirement rates are fuelling demand and an ever-growing need to recruit and train thousands more Canadians for these jobs. The Government of Canada is investing in the skilled trades to ensure Canadians have access to the high-quality apprenticeship training they need to get into these good, in-demand and well-paying careers.

Today, Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, announced $51,415 for the Azilda Carpenter’s Union Local 2486. This is one of 39 projects funded through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) – Investments in Training Equipment Stream.

These projects will help unions improve the quality of training through the purchase of equipment and materials that meet the latest industry standards or invests in new technology. These investments will better prepare apprentices and pre-apprentices to fill available jobs as the economy grows. The UTIP supports union-based apprenticeship training and works to reduce barriers to participation and success in the Red Seal trades. The first stream, Investments in Training Equipment, helps unions across Canada improve the quality of training through investments in equipment and materials. The second stream, Innovation in Apprenticeship, supports innovation and strengthened partnerships to address challenges that are limiting apprenticeship outcomes in Canada.

Today’s announcement adds itself to the $500,215 in funding granted to the Azilda Carpenter’s Union Local 2486 through UTIP since 2018.

Quotes 

“Workers are the engine of Canada’s economy, who build industries that support good jobs and vibrant communities across Canada. Demographic shifts and high retirement rates in the skilled trades mean we need to recruit and train thousands more Canadians for these well-paying jobs. Our government is helping to create a pool of certified tradespeople ready to take up high demand jobs in the skilled trades.”

– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault

“By funding this project, our government is making it possible for more people to get trained in the skilled trades right here in Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Having start of the art training facilities in our backyard helps more people stay in the North and helps build strong communities.” -  Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“With the UTIP funding, the Carpenters Union can train the workforce required to build Northern Ontario for the future.” – Cameron Deering, Local Union Coordinator

“Enhancing training opportunities for apprentices and pre-apprentices is essential in addressing the increasing demand for skilled workers across Northern Ontario. I am pleased to see that this strategic investment will help provide trainees access to the latest equipment and technology, ensuring that our growing Greater Sudbury workforce is at the forefront of industry standards.”  - Paul Lefebvre, Greater Sudbury Mayor

Quick Facts 

• The Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy aims to support a trades workforce that is skilled, inclusive, certified and productive.
• The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum estimates that over 122,000 new journeypersons will be required to sustain workforce certification across Red Seal trades in Canada. Of these, approximately 92,300 journeypersons will be concentrated in the top 15 national Red Seal in demand trades which include cook, industrial electrician, painter and decorator, and welder.
• Minister Boissonnault recently launched this year’s call for proposals for the Canadian Apprentice Strategy’s Investments in Training Equipment stream, which will provide over $25 million in 2023–24 for projects to support approximately 25,500 apprentices.
• On April 1, 2023, the Government of Canada implemented a permanent elimination of interest on Canada Apprentice Loans and Canada Student Loans.
• The budget for UTIP doubled to $84.2 million over four years to help apprentices from equity-deserving groups begin—and succeed in—careers in the skilled trades through mentorship, career services and job matching.
• A Labour Mobility Deduction was also implemented to provide tax recognition on up to $4,000 per year in eligible travel and temporary relocation expenses to eligible tradespersons and apprentices.
• A new sustainable jobs funding stream under the UTIP was introduced to support unions in leading the development of green skills training for workers in the trades, and it is expected that 20,000 apprentices and journeypersons would benefit.

Associated Links

Union Training and Innovation Program
Canada.ca/skilled-trades
Advertising campaign to promote the skilled trades
Apprenticeship Service
Government of Canada provides interest-free loans for apprentices, effective April 1
Budget 2022
Fall Economic Statement 2022

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For media enquiries, please contact:
Kaylie Dudgeon,
Special Assistant MP Marc G. Serré
[email protected]
705-507-2416