The Ontario government has announced a new investment of over $4 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to support nearly 500 people in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas in accessing well-paying jobs across the construction, industrial, mining, and transportation sectors. This latest funding brings the province’s total investment in training initiatives in Thunder Bay and Northern Ontario through the SDF to $147.1 million. The initiative is designed to equip workers with the necessary skills to meet labor demands while supporting Ontario’s competitiveness amid global economic uncertainty and U.S. trade policies.
Premier Doug Ford emphasized that the investment is part of the government’s strategy to prepare Ontario workers for high-demand sectors. Speaking in Thunder Bay, Ford noted that the training would empower individuals to build stronger futures for themselves and contribute to the province’s development. The initiative includes funding for several local organizations offering targeted training programs.
One of the main recipients is IBEW Local 402, which will receive over $800,000 to train aspiring electricians for roles in the industrial and mining sectors in Northwestern Ontario. Participants who complete the program will be eligible for apprenticeships. Other training initiatives funded by the SDF include driver education for Indigenous youth through Behind the Wheel, construction training for women by LiUNA Local 607, carpentry and equipment training for Indigenous communities through Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education, welding training by Ironworkers Local 759, and certifications for industrial workers by Millwright Local 1151.
The SDF, launched in 2021, has already supported over 1,000 projects and helped connect more than 700,000 individuals to better employment opportunities. The Ontario government recently announced an additional $1 billion investment in the SDF, bringing its total commitment to $2.5 billion. This funding aims to expand training efforts across key industries and reinforce Ontario’s economic resilience.
Premier Ford and Labour Minister David Piccini both stressed the importance of ongoing investments in workforce development to ensure that Ontario remains competitive and that workers have the skills needed to thrive. A new call for proposals under the SDF Training Stream, with $260 million in available funding, was launched on July 29.
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