The Ontario government has announced a $64.2 million investment over the next three years to expand in-class apprenticeship training, aiming to help more apprentices across the province gain the skills needed for rewarding careers in the skilled trades. This initiative is part of the broader strategy to support Ontario’s $200 billion infrastructure plan, including highways, hospitals, and schools, while ensuring apprentices are equipped for well-paying jobs despite external economic pressures such as U.S. tariffs.
Through the In-Class Enhancement Fund (IEF), the government plans to create up to 4,000 new training seats annually, allowing apprentices to access in-class training more quickly and covering their $10-per-day Level 1 classroom fees. The program is designed to strengthen the province’s skilled trades workforce, which is crucial for building and maintaining essential infrastructure, while supporting apprentices to complete their training efficiently and safely.
In addition to expanding in-class capacity, Ontario is examining ways to increase apprenticeship hiring on publicly funded infrastructure projects and construction sites. The government is also collaborating with Skilled Trades Ontario to enhance testing accessibility, enabling apprentices to schedule Certificate of Qualification exams at certified centres closer to home, reducing travel time and allowing more flexibility for career advancement.
Stakeholders have welcomed the investment, emphasizing its importance in removing financial and logistical barriers for apprentices. Marc Arsenault, Business Manager and Secretary Treasurer of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, noted that expanded training capacity ensures that major infrastructure projects are built by a well-trained local workforce, allowing apprentices to begin their careers faster and safer.
The IEF forms part of a $159.3 million commitment announced in the 2025 Budget to strengthen skilled trades programs and builds on Ontario’s broader strategy to train and attract workers for in-demand jobs. Since 2020, the province has invested over $2.1 billion in skilled trades programs, including projects under the Skills Development Fund Training Stream. Complementary initiatives include the $18 million Apprentice Development Benefit, which helps cover living expenses during full-time in-class training.
Apprenticeship registrations in Ontario reached 28,875 in 2024–2025, the highest in a decade, with youth registrations increasing by over 13.5 per cent to 16,412. Projections indicate that one in eight job openings in Ontario by 2029 will be in skilled trades-related occupations, while one in three workers holding an apprenticeship certificate are nearing retirement. To further promote careers in trades, the government is hosting Level Up! career fairs across the province, expecting to engage over 50,000 students, parents, and jobseekers through hands-on exhibits and demonstrations.
Recent investments also include a $75 million allocation to create up to 7,800 additional construction and urban planning seats at colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes, bolstering the pipeline of skilled construction workers. The IEF’s funding adds approximately $21.4 million per year over the next three years, bringing the 2025-2026 total IEF budget to $146.7 million. This program is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and Ontario.
Leaders from Skilled Trades Ontario and Colleges Ontario highlighted the impact of the investment, noting that expanded in-class training will accelerate program completion, strengthen the workforce, and ensure Ontario meets the growing demands of its labour market. The initiative is expected to create a more job-ready, highly skilled trades workforce capable of supporting the province’s long-term infrastructure and economic goals.
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