Ontario Investing $2.2 Million to Expand Access to Apprenticeship Training in Windsor

Provincial funding will support three organizations to modernize training facilities and prepare more women and youth for in-demand careers in the skilled trades

The Ontario government is investing more than $2.2 million to expand apprenticeship pathways and modernize skilled trades training in Windsor. Through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program and the Apprenticeship Capital Grant, the province is supporting three organizations that will help 80 people prepare for in-demand careers in the skilled trades and ensure students train with the modern equipment and technology used on today’s jobsites. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is helping more workers gain the skills needed to land rewarding careers in the skilled trades and ensure Ontario has the workforce it needs to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that the province needs.

“Ontario’s future depends on having the skilled workers needed to build it,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government is taking action by expanding opportunities for people in Windsor to start rewarding careers in the skilled trades. By investing in hands-on apprenticeship training, modern equipment and pathways into in-demand careers, we are helping more people, including women, youth and other underrepresented groups, develop the skills employers need while strengthening Ontario’s workforce for the future.”

The three organizations funded today include:

• Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor is receiving more than $1.56 million through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 60 women for careers in the industrial electrician, electrician construction and maintenance, refrigeration and air conditioning, sheet metal and cement finishing trades, helping expand opportunities for women in high-demand construction careers.
• St. Clair College is receiving more than $641,000 to expand skilled trades training, including $291,065 through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program to train 20 participants, primarily youth and other underrepresented groups, for careers in tool and die making, as well as $350,000 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to upgrade Computer Numerical Control machining equipment and controls with modern, industry-standard technology.
• The International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers is receiving $53,720 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to purchase robotic surveying and monitoring technology, giving apprentices hands-on experience with advanced technology used across Ontario’s construction industry.

Together, these investments will expand access to apprenticeship training while ensuring training providers have the facilities and equipment needed to prepare apprentices for careers in high-demand sectors including construction, manufacturing and industrial trades.

Modernizing facilities and expanding access to the skilled trades is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a highly skilled workforce ready to meet growing demand and keep Ontario resilient into the future. Through its $236 billion plan to build, the government is delivering critical infrastructure projects that communities rely on while connecting more people to stable, good-paying careers.

Quick Facts

• Over the next decade, Ontario is expected to need over 400,000 workers to fill job openings in skilled trades-related occupations, across all sectors, due to retirements and job growth.
• The present Apprenticeship Capital Grant and Pre-Apprenticeship program funding is at record levels since the programs began.
• By 2034, about 1 in 6 job openings in Ontario are expected to be in a skilled trades-related occupation.
• In the construction sector alone, Ontario is expected to need nearly 75,000 workers to fill job openings in skilled trades-related occupations due to retirements and job growth.
• Through Budget 2025, the Ontario government invested $75 million to train up to 7,800 additional students at colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes across the province for in-demand jobs in construction and urban planning.
• Recently, the Ontario government announced $1.7 billion to fund 70,000 more seats for in-demand programs at publicly assisted colleges and universities, including skilled trades. This is part of the government’s new long-term funding model, which will bring $6.4 billion to our colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes.
• The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program and Apprenticeship Capital Grants are supported by labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

“St. Clair College thanks the Ontario government for this significant investment in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training. By supporting modern equipment upgrades and expanding training opportunities for youth and other underrepresented groups, this funding strengthens our local workforce and helps meet the growing needs of the automotive, aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors. At St. Clair College, Start Here, Go Anywhere is more than a slogan — it reflects our commitment to providing hands-on learning that prepares students for meaningful careers and supports the continued growth of our community.” – Michael Silvaggi, President, St. Clair College

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Ontario Helping Connect Windsor Students With Rewarding Careers in the Skilled Trades

Level Up! career fairs will help over 60,000 students and jobseekers including Windsorites, learn about good-paying in-demand jobs

The Ontario government is launching the annual Level Up! career fairs for a fifth year to introduce students, educators and jobseekers to in-demand careers. Through multi‑day events planned in 12 communities across the province this upcoming year, the 2026 fairs are expected to reach more than 60,000 people and will include open house sessions and interactive exhibitions that will inspire the next generation of workers to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that the province needs.

“To deliver on our government’s historic $236 billion infrastructure plan, Ontario will need an additional 400,000 workers in the skilled trades over the next decadeWe will continue to invest in innovative programs that introduce students and young people to the skills they need to land in-demand careers and bigger paycheques.” – Premier Doug Ford

The Level Up! career fairs will showcase Ontario’s 144 skilled trades through interactive exhibits, hands‑on demonstrations and conversations with employers, unions and training providers. Designed primarily for students in Grades 7 to 12, the fairs will also welcome parents, guardians, educators and jobseekers interested in learning more about local apprenticeship and training opportunities.

The Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs will take place across 12 communities over 29 days between September 23 and December 10, 2026:

• Cobourg — September 23–24
• Kingston — September 29–30
• Barrie — October 6–7
• Timmins — October 14–15
• Thunder Bay — October 21–22
• Sudbury — October 28–29
• Hamilton — November 3–5
• Windsor — November 11–12
• London — November 17–19
• Ottawa — November 24–26
• Oshawa — December 1–3
• Mississauga — December 8–10

“Five years on, Level Up! continues to open doors for young people across Ontario, giving them real, hands-on exposure to the skilled trades and the careers they could build. The career fairs make that possible by connecting students and jobseekers directly with the tradespeople and employers shaping the work today. Skilled Trades Ontario is proud to deliver Level Up! alongside the Ontario government, and proud to support every young person discovering a career that is in demand, well paid, and built to last.” – Candice White, CEO, Skilled Trades Ontario

Each fair includes daytime sessions for students attending with their schools, followed by a free community open house open to the public, aimed at providing an opportunity for parents and guardians to learn more about the skilled trades.

“Our government is focused on making sure Ontario workers have the skills, resources and opportunities they need to succeed,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “The Level Up! career fairs continue to open more doors for students and jobseekers to explore careers in the skilled trades, connect directly with employers and see firsthand the opportunities available to them.”

As Ontario continues to grow, so does the demand for skilled trades workers, with roughly one in three tradespeople nearing retirement and hundreds of thousands of additional workers needed over the next decade. To meet this demand, Ontario is aiming to engage 500,000 youth in the skilled trades by 2030 through initiatives like Level Up! and the Trade and Tech Trucks program.

Level Up! is part of the government’s ongoing plan to protect Ontario by building a highly skilled workforce ready to meet growing demand and keep Ontario resilient into the future. Through its $236 billion plan to build, the government is delivering critical infrastructure projects that communities rely on while connecting more people to stable, good-paying careers.

Quick Facts

• The Level Up! skilled trades career fairs are open to all students, parents, educators and job seekers.
• Last year, more than 58,000 people attended Level Up! career fairs across Ontario.
• Since 2022, more than 140,000 people have attended the Level Up! career fairs, with total attendance expected to surpass 200,000 by the end of 2026.
• Organizations can support the Level Up! career fairs as potential exhibitors or sponsors, with more information available by emailing LevelUp@ontario.ca or visiting LevelUpOntario.ca.
• One in six job openings in Ontario will be in skilled trades-related occupations by 2034.

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Ontario Launching Classroom Supplies Fund to Support Elementary School Teachers and Students

The Ontario government is launching the Classroom Supplies Fund to provide elementary school homeroom teachers with direct access to $750 in funding each school year for classroom supplies. The new fund, which will be launched as part of the province’s 2026 budget, will ensure teachers have the materials they need in their classrooms without paying up front and is part of the government’s ongoing work to ensure the provincial education system is supporting student success and helping them reach their full potential.

“Our government is making record investments so that our students have the support and supplies they need to succeed and grow in school. The new $750 Classroom Supplies Card will give teachers across the province access to the resources they need, without forcing them to cover the costs themselves or wait to be reimbursed. It’s just one of the ways we are supporting our students and teachers while ensuring Ontario’s education system is focused on student success.” – Premier Doug Ford

Beginning in September 2026, homeroom teachers will have access to $750 each school year through a new provincial website, allowing them to order classroom supplies directly, with materials delivered to their schools. Each teacher will receive a Classroom Supplies Card directing them to the website, with instructions on how to access the site. The website will offer a grade-by-grade selection of commonly used classroom items, including writing supplies, notebooks, calculators, chalk, arts and crafts materials, tissues and paper towels. This will make it easier for elementary teachers to order what they need without paying up front and waiting for reimbursement, ensuring consistent access to supplies in every classroom across the province.

“Our government continues to make record investments to build an effective and strong education system. We are committed to protecting student learning and ensuring teachers have the support they need for every student to thrive,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “We will continue to strengthen accountability across the system and ensure that every investment is focused on student success and reaches the classroom where it matters most.”

Input from elementary teachers and school boards will inform the selection of supplies available to support both educators and students. The Classroom Supplies Fund reflects the government’s ongoing work to build a strong, consistent and well-supported public education system with a back-to-basics approach that is focused on improving student outcomes.

“We know that many teachers have been paying out of pocket for supplies. That isn’t fair for teachers or students,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “While school boards receive funding for classroom resources, we have not always seen those dollars consistently reach every classroom. That is why we are putting funds directly in the hands of teachers to ensure their classrooms are equipped to support student achievement.”

Quick Facts

• Ontario says it is providing historic levels of education funding in 2025-26, with an investment of $30.3 billion in Core Education Funding to focus key resources where they matter most: on student success.
• In November 2025, Ontario passed the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, which simplifies, streamlines and broadens the Minister of Education’s powers of oversight, including over school board finances, governance and program performance.
• When school boards fail to meet their responsibilities, the government says it has not hesitated to act. Supervisors have been appointed to eight school boards to address concerns regarding growing deficits, depleting reserves and ongoing cases of mismanagement.
• Nominations are open for the new Elizabeth Dowdeswell Award for Advancing Democracy Through Education, which recognizes Ontario elementary and secondary school educators who champion democratic values and civic engagement through innovative teaching practices.

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Ontario Investing More Than $60 Million in Skilled Trades Apprentices

In-Class Enhancement Fund will protect Ontario workers by training up to 12,000 apprentices for in-demand jobs

Today, the Ontario government announced an investment of $64.2 million over the next three years to expand in-class apprenticeship training, helping more apprentices across the province gain the skills they need to land rewarding careers in the skilled trades.

“We need to keep building, no matter what global challenges come our way, to deliver on our $200 billion plan to build more infrastructure like highways, hospitals and schools,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By expanding access to in-class training and removing barriers, we’re helping more apprentices gain the skills they need for good-paying jobs, while protecting them in the face of U.S. tariffs.”

This investment, through the In-Class Enhancement Fund (IEF), will create up to 4,000 new training seats each year, helping apprentices access in-class training faster while covering their $10-per-day Level 1 classroom fees.

“Whether it is schools, highways, or hospitals, our province’s skilled trades workers are building the critical infrastructure that strengthens our communities and protects Ontario. Through this investment, our government is ensuring that apprentices get the education, training and skills they need to get rewarding, good-paying jobs that will build the Ontario of tomorrow.” – Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

As part of a broader strategy to address the need for skilled trades, the Ontario government is also examining ways to increase apprenticeship hiring on publicly funded infrastructure projects and construction sites. In addition, the government is working with Skilled Trades Ontario to expand testing, allowing apprentices to book Certificate of Qualification exams at certified testing centres closer to home, choosing the date, time and location that works best for them. This means less travel, less time away from work and more opportunities for apprentices to get certified and advance their careers.

“This investment is exactly what Ontario’s skilled trades workforce needs right now,” said Marc Arsenault, Business Manager and Secretary Treasurer, Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario. “Expanding in-class training capacity means more apprentices can start and finish their programs on time, with fewer financial and logistical barriers. It’s a smart, practical step that ensures major infrastructure projects are built by a well-trained, local workforce. Our members are ready to build Ontario’s future, and this kind of support helps get them on the tools faster and safer.”

The IEF is part of the $159.3 million commitment announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario to strengthen skilled trades programs. It builds on the government’s broader strategy to train and attract workers for in-demand jobs.

Since 2020, Ontario has invested over $2.1 billion in the skilled trades. This includes investments in skilled trades related projects under the Skills Development Fund Training Stream.

Quick Facts

• The IEF complements other provincial investments, including the $18 million Apprentice Development Benefit, which helps apprentices cover living expenses during full-time in-class training at a minister approved training provider.
• New apprenticeship registrations in Ontario increased by over 7.3 per cent to 28,875 in 2024–2025 – the highest in a decade. This includes an increase of over 13.5 per cent to 16,412 among youth aged 15 to 24 in 2024-2025.
• About one in eight job openings in Ontario are forecast to be in skilled trades-related occupations by 2029.
• One in three workers in Ontario with an apprenticeship certificate as their highest credential are nearing retirement.
• Ontario is hosting Level Up! career fairs in communities across the province over 29 days, connecting an expected 50,000+ students, parents, and jobseekers with rewarding, in-demand careers in the skilled trades through hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations.
• In August, 2025, the government announced an investment of $75 million to create up to 7,800 additional construction and urban planning seats at colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes in Ontario, further strengthening the province’s pipeline of homegrown and highly skilled construction workers.
• The IEF investment adds about $21.4 million per year to the program budget over the next three years, bringing the total IEF budget for 2025-2026 to $146.7 million.
• The IEF is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

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Ontario Helping More Students Learn About Rewarding Careers in the Skilled Trades

Level Up! Career fairs will help over 50,000 students and jobseekers learn about good-paying, in-demand jobs

The Ontario government is launching its annual Level Up! career fairs to introduce a record number of students, educators and jobseekers to in-demand careers in the skilled trades. Through multi-day events, open house sessions and over 200 interactive exhibitors, the 2025 fairs will inspire the next generation of workers to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that the province needs.

Building on last year’s success, the fairs have expanded from 21 to 29 days in 12 communities, with over 50,000 people expected to attend as the government works to protect and grow a strong, resilient workforce in the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty.

“Ontario’s greatest strength is our skilled, world-class workforce,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why our government is investing in training and career opportunities like the Level Up! career fairs that are helping thousands of young people discover good-paying careers in the trades.”

The Level Up! career fairs will showcase dozens of Ontario’s 144 skilled trades – from electricians and boilermakers to heavy equipment operators and automotive service technicians. Students in grades 7 to 12, their parents and jobseekers will be able to explore these careers through dynamic exhibits, hands-on demonstrations and direct conversations with tradespeople and employers.

Career fairs are taking place across 12 communities for a total of 29 days between September 17 and December 12, 2025:

• Grafton: September 17–18
• Barrie: October 1–2
• Sudbury: October 8–9
• Timmins: October 15–16
• Thunder Bay: October 22–23
• Windsor: October 29–30
• Hamilton: November 5–6
• London: November 11–13
• Oshawa: November 18–20
• Mississauga: November 25–28
• Kingston: December 2–3
• Ottawa: December 10–12

Grade 7 to 12 students interested in attending the career fairs are encouraged to contact their school board’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) recruiter, a teacher or school guidance counsellor to register.

“Level Up! career fairs give students an exciting chance to step into the skilled trades, try them first-hand and connect directly with employers,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “These events help students see a clear pathway from the classroom to rewarding careers in the skilled trades that will set them up for success tomorrow. By investing in students today, we are helping them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed and contribute to Ontario’s future.”

With roughly one in three tradespeople nearing retirement and a growing demand for nation-building projects, these career fairs will help raise awareness and spark interest in good-paying, in-demand careers. The government’s record investments in skilled trades training are helping more youth access the trades with 16,412 youth aged 15 to 24 registered for apprenticeships this year, the highest in the last 10 years.

These fairs build on broader efforts to strengthen Ontario’s workforce, including targeted investments in training and employment pathways. Since 2021, the Ontario government has invested $1.5 billion through the Skills Development Fund to help train more than one million workers for in-demand jobs. As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the government is investing nearly $1 billion more through the Skills Development Fund over the next three years, bringing the total to $2.5 billion, to support key industrial sectors and expand access to good-paying careers.

Quick Facts

• The Level Up! skilled trades career fairs are open to all students, parents and job seekers. Last year, nearly 45,000 students, parents, friends, and teachers visited the fairs.
• Organizations can support the Level Up! career fairs as potential exhibitors or sponsors. Interested organizations can email Levelup@ontario.ca for more details or visit levelupontario.ca.
• One in five new job openings in Ontario will be in the skilled trades-related occupations by 2028.

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