Province invests nearly $10 million in training at Conestoga

Skilled trades training at Conestoga College got a big shot in the arm on January 31.

Labour, Training and Skills Development Minister Monte McNaughton announced that the province would invest nearly $10 million in training for students wishing to pursue educations and training in the skilled trades.

Of that total, $9.2 million will be directed to training 6,200 apprentices in the college’s 21 skilled trades programs in the 2020–21 academic year. The increase in funding of $1 million will open training opportunities for an extra 632 students. The training will be delivered in four locations in Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Cambridge.

The government announced a further investment of $750,000 to fund three pre-apprenticeship training projects for 60 young people at Conestoga College. The funding will help students get started in the college’s cabinetmaker, industrial mechanic millwright, and truck and coach technician programs.

“Building the skilled trades workforce is essential to Ontario's prosperity and well-being,” said Conestoga College president John Tibbits. “This investment in pre-apprenticeship and in-class training is an important step towards addressing workforce needs while providing opportunities for individuals to access education that leads to successful careers.”

The government is investing $20.8 million this year into the pre-apprenticeship program to create training opportunities for over 1,800 people in the skilled trades. The program is delivered by Ontario colleges, private career colleges, union and non-union training centres and other community organizations.

"About one in five new jobs in Ontario over the next five years is expected to be in trades-related occupations," said McNaughton. "Exposing people to careers in the skilled trades and getting them the in-class training they need makes good sense: It helps businesses find talent and opens the doors for people who want to work.”