The Ontario government has launched the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream, allocating $260 million to support projects that hire, train, and upskill workers across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, construction, and automotive trades. This initiative is part of a broader $2.5 billion provincial investment aimed at equipping workers with skills for well-paying jobs while helping Ontario remain competitive in the global economy. A wide range of organizations, including employers, training providers, labour unions, hospitals, and Indigenous organizations, are eligible to apply for project funding through Transfer Payment Ontario by October 1, 2025.
In addition to launching Round 6, the government also announced over $20 million in investments through Round 5 to train nearly 4,825 jobseekers for careers in skilled trades, hospitality, and artificial intelligence in healthcare. These projects include programs by Support Ontario Youth, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Unite Here Local 75, and others focused on providing hands-on training, mentorship, and skills development for underserved populations and emerging job markets.
Since its inception in 2021, the Skills Development Fund has supported over 1,000 training initiatives, connecting more than 700,000 people to employment opportunities across the province. The new funding round follows the 2025 Budget announcement, which expands the SDF by nearly $1 billion over three years. This effort reinforces Ontario’s strategy to build a resilient workforce capable of supporting major industries and responding to economic challenges.
The SDF operates two funding streams: the Training Stream, which backs job readiness and upskilling programs, and the Capital Stream, which funds training facility construction and upgrades. The fund has trained tens of thousands in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. Notably, Toronto will benefit from new training investments as it continues to face a significant number of job vacancies—nearly 88,000 in the first quarter of 2025.
In Round 5, the province received 816 funding applications and selected 246 projects, investing $345 million to train over 121,700 individuals. A significant share of these projects focused on the construction and engineering sectors. While Rounds 1 through 5 were co-funded with the federal government, Round 6 is funded exclusively by the Government of Ontario.
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