Skills Development Fund Investments Will Train over 9,000 Workers in the Region for In-Demand Jobs in the Face of American Tariffs
NEWS
June 18, 2025
NIAGARA FALLS – The Ontario government is investing more than $13 million through the Training Stream of the Skills Development Fund to help over 9,000 workers and jobseekers in Niagara prepare for in-demand jobs in the construction, manufacturing and food and beverage processing sectors. This investment is part of the government's $1 billion expansion of the Skills Development Fund, for a total of $2.5 billion, to help protect Ontario workers by giving them the tools they need to land rewarding, good-paying jobs while helping Ontario remain competitive in the face of American tariffs and economic uncertainty.
"In a border community like Niagara, these regional investments through the Skills Development Fund are critical to help protect local workers and job creators," said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
"This provincial support for training programs right across our region will help secure our future by providing opportunities for good jobs and careers with secure paycheques."
"The investments we are announcing today will help workers across Niagara get the skills and training they need to find good-paying jobs and support a growing economy," said Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.
"By investing in workers, we are helping protect their jobs and futures, and helping Ontario stand up to President Trump's tariffs and anything else that might come our way."
Premier Ford was joined by MPP Oosterhoff and Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, as well as members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 303, in Niagara Falls today, to announce the funding.
"This government is stepping up to protect Ontario workers," said Minister Piccini.
"We are meeting the moment of economic uncertainty with bold and decisive action. That means investing in the skills and training that empower our world-class workforce to not only persevere in the face of adversity, but to build a stronger, more resilient Ontario."
The Ontario government is partnering with eleven organizations in Niagara to deliver the free training programs in sectors affected by American tariffs and policies, including:
- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 303, which is receiving $635,728 to train new apprentices for in-demand jobs in the electrical industry,
- Civiconnect, which is receiving $2,500,000 to provide youth with hands-on training in the skilled trades,
- Silverline Group, which is receiving $2,186,430 to provide in-class and on-the-job training for workers in the construction industry,
- Food and Beverage Ontario, which is receiving $2,000,000 to provide skills training, job coaching and career resources for workers in the food and beverage manufacturing industry,
- The Steelcon Group of Companies, which is receiving $1,500,000 to help participants learn fundamental skills required in manufacturing and fabrication in the steel industry,
- The Niagara Home Builders' Association, which is receiving $1,397,179 to train more people for construction-related trades,
- Edge Factor, which is receiving $1,087,600 to leverage virtual reality to help youth and underrepresented groups to explore skilled trades through simulated experiences,
- Canadian Niagara Hotels, which is receiving $989,375 to train staff and support Niagara's tourism industry,
- The Niagara Industrial Association, which is receiving $581,500 to establish an academy that will provide on-the-job training to meet immediate and longer-term business needs of the region,
- Willowbrook Nurseries, which is receiving $349,400 to develop manufacturing training programs for horticultural workers,
- XpertVR, which is receiving $280,055 for a virtual reality training program that will provide access to realistic, customizable scenarios and prepare firefighting teams to face the challenges of their demanding roles.
Since its launch in 2021, the Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with better training for better jobs with bigger paycheques. As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the Ontario government is investing an additional $1 billion through the Skills Development Fund to support major industries and sectors while training the workers needed to build and strengthen Ontario's economy to withstand whatever comes our way. This investment brings Ontario's total investment in the Skills Development Fund to $2.5 billion.
"Both the Niagara Home Builders' Association and our educational partner, Niagara College, are incredibly grateful to the province for once again investing in training that continues to prepare students with the skills that they need to work their way toward building a stable career, creating a stronger workforce and preparing more Niagara residents for meaningful, in-demand careers," said Chuck McShane, Chief Executive Officer of the Niagara Home Builders' Association.
"At Edge Factor, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire the next generation of skilled trades professionals," said Jeremy Bout, Founder and President of Edge Factor.
"We are proud to be working with the Ontario government to highlight the Real Pathways campaign, where we share real people, real stories and real pathways to a successful future in the trades."
"I want to thank Premier Ford and the Ontario government for their continued commitment to building a strong, resilient workforce," said Nour Hage, President and Chief Executive Officer of Civiconnect in Beamsville.
"This funding through the Skills Development Fund will help Civiconnect expand our Youth Skills Studio and prepare more young people with the hands-on experience and training they need to build successful careers in the skilled trades."
Quick Facts:
- The investment brings Ontario's total investment in Niagara training projects through the Skills Development Fund to over $47 million.
- The Training Stream of the Skills Development Fund has supported over 1,000 training projects across the province and aimed to help over 700,000 people.
- People interested in participating in the programs announced today are encouraged to contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.
- The Training Stream of the Skills Development Fund is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
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