Hire With More Confidence

How would you like to fill that open position on your crew with someone who’s already safety-certified, pre-screened, and motivated to work, and do it while cutting your onboarding costs in half?

That’s not a hypothetical. It’s the foundation of Path to Employment, a workforce program from the Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) designed to connect local employers with trained, job-ready candidates across construction and manufacturing.

Built for Industry, Backed by GVCA

We all know the challenge, hiring is tough right now. Across Ontario, nearly seven out of ten construction firms say they can’t find the workers they need. Meanwhile, too many jobseekers struggle to get that first opportunity because they lack experience, even if they have the motivation and the drive to learn.

Path to Employment was built to close that gap — not with promises, but with preparation.

Every candidate completes a four-week training program that covers jobsite safety, communication, and practical tool skills. They then move into a four-week paid work placement, arriving on-site already equipped with certifications like Working at Heights, WHMIS, and First Aid.

The result? A talent pool of workers who don’t just want a job — they want a career.

Less Risk. More Reward.

As Jeff MacIntyre, President of GVCA, puts it:

“We’re hearing from our members every week that they can’t find people who are both ready and reliable. Path to Employment removes that barrier. We’ve done the pre-screening, the training, the matching, and we help employers offset costs so they can focus on building their teams with confidence.”

That cost offset Jeff mentions is a 50% wage subsidy, designed to reduce the financial risk of taking on new workers. It’s an industry-first approach that gives businesses breathing room to train and integrate new hires, while ensuring candidates are earning, learning, and contributing from day one.

Confidence in Every Hire

This isn’t a government job board or a faceless employment agency.
It’s an industry-led solution, grounded in the credibility of GVCA and powered by real relationships. The association’s placement team works directly with employers to understand their hiring needs, then pairs them with candidates who match those requirements — ready to step on site, certified, and eager to work.

“It’s about removing uncertainty,” Jeff adds. “You’re not taking a gamble — you’re investing in someone who’s been prepared to succeed.”

Real Opportunities. Real Impact.

For participants, Path to Employment isn’t just another training program. It’s a door into an industry that values skill, teamwork, and growth. Many go on to full-time roles with their placement employers, proving that when you reduce risk and increase readiness, everyone wins, the employer, the candidate, and the industry as a whole.

As one recent participant put it:

“I didn’t just get a job, I got experience — I actually became and felt like a part of a team because of what I brought to the table.”

Get Started

If you’re an employer looking to hire, or a candidate ready to work, now’s the time to connect.
Path to Employment is about building the next generation of Ontario’s workforce — one confident hire at a time.

Employers: Start hiring with more confidence 
Participants: Apply to Path to Employment