NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY – Skilled tradespeople are essential for Canada to build more homes and unlock the country’s full economic potential. To help recruit, retain, and train more apprentices in skilled trades, the Government of Canada is making investments to attract more young people, women, and other equity-deserving groups to these rewarding and in-demand jobs.

Today, Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury, on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, announced $128,176 for the Azilda Carpenter’s Union Local 2486. This project is funded through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) Investments in Training Equipment Stream.

The funding will enhance job site efficiency and safety by enabling the purchase of essential equipment, including a telescopic forklift. Upgraded equipment ensures that apprentices are well supported to do their work effectively, efficiently, and safely.

This investment will also help ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, helping advance Local 2486’s mission to equip trainees with the skills needed for success on the job site.

Under the Investments in Training Equipment stream 2022 and 2023 calls for proposals, 114 projects are helping unions and training providers improve the quality of training through the purchase of equipment and materials that meet the latest industry standards or investing in new technology.

UTIP is part of the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s response to the skilled trades workforce’s most pressing needs, including addressing barriers to successful entry, addressing the housing crisis, and increasing net-zero construction to unlock Canada’s economic potential.

The Government of Canada invests nearly $1 billion annually in apprenticeship supports through grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training, project funding, and support for the Red Seal Program to help build a robust skilled trades workforce for the future that is inclusive, certified and productive.

Quotes 

“Canada is home to the smartest minds, the most talented workers and a strong education, training, and employment system. Building on these strengths will help us adapt to a changing global economy and get ahead. By investing in the skilled trades and jobs of the future, we are setting up workers and businesses to take advantage of every opportunity, while creating good jobs for Canadian workers.”– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault

“Today’s investment is a concrete step toward helping more residents of Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury find rewarding careers in the skilled trades. Over the years, more than $550,000 has been allocated to support Local 2486, underscoring the Federal government’s commitment to building a workforce that is skilled, inclusive, certified, and productive. I look forward to continued collaboration with local trades chapters across the region to make sure their needs are fully understood and addressed,” – Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“Investing in our workers is essential for building a strong and sustainable future for Sudbury. By supporting the Carpenter’s Union Local 2486, we are not only empowering skilled workers, but also providing workers with the necessary resources to adapt to new opportunities. Investments like this create good-paying jobs, strengthen our local economy, and attract workers for generations to come.” – Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury

“The Sudbury Basin and surrounding area is a mineral rich area that has become the epicenter of the EV industry. Our members are the carpenters that build and maintain the mines and processing plants that dot the landscape in which we live. It is important that we can showcase and train on current tools and equipment in order to attract today’s generation of carpenters and ensure that all of our members can stay up to date with the modern job site. This would not be possible without the Government’s investment in the workforce through initiatives such as UTIP.” – Cameron Deering, Local Union Coordinator

Quick Facts

• Since the start of the program in 2017, the Government of Canada has invested nearly $305 million in grants and contributions funding under UTIP.
• A call for proposals under the new UTIP Sustainable Jobs funding Stream was launched on June 20, 2024 to support unions and their partners in leading the development of green training for workers in the trades. An investment of over $95 million over five years will help unions and their partners provide green training to approximately 20,000 apprentices, journeypersons and other workers. This call for proposals is open until September 5, 2024. As part of this funding, a separate agreement with the Government of Quebec will support the province in implementing a program that accounts for the specific features of Quebec’s apprenticeship system.
• To help address the growing need for skilled trades workers, Budget 2024 announced the Government’s intention to deliver a $90 million investment for the Apprenticeship Service to support small and medium-sized employers in creating placements for apprentices and $10 million for the Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness Program to encourage Canadians to explore and prepare for careers in the skilled trades.
• The Government of Canada also supports apprentices financially as they progress through their technical training. Apprentices can access Employment Insurance benefits during technical training and up to $20,000 in interest-free Canada Apprentice Loans as well as Apprenticeship Grants of up to $4,000.
• ca/skilled-trades provides Canadians with information about what the skilled trades are, how to become a tradesperson and what financial supports are available to them while in training.

Associated Links

Backgrounder: Union Training and Innovation Program

Budget 2024

Canada.ca/skilled-trades

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Media Contact:

Kaylie Dudgeon - Communications Manager 
Marc G. Serré  MP Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister Energy and Natural Resources an Parliamentary Secretary of Official Languages
705-507-2416
[email protected]