Ontario’s trades are the backbone of our economy. More young people need to know that a job in the trades opens doors to bigger paycheques, with a pension and benefits. The trades can be their ticket to building a better life, strong family, and a stronger community for us all.
That is why our government is investing an additional $90 million over the next three years to introduce more students to rewarding and lucrative careers in the trades and ensuring employers have the workers they need to grow their businesses and drive our economy.
This investment responds to the Apprenticeship Youth Advisors report, released today, which includes several recommendations to help solve the shortage of skilled labour workers Ontario is currently facing.
Our government is also investing an additional $2.9 million, for a total of $20 million annually, to expand the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and provide more opportunities for students.
To encourage employers to take on more apprentices, the province’s investments in achievement incentives and pre-apprenticeship training will increase to over $77 million annually, starting in 2022-2023. As a result, employers could earn up to $17,000 per person through the Achievement Incentive for hiring apprentices from underrepresented groups, including women, BIPOC people, newcomers, Francophones and people with disabilities.
Our government is equipping students with the job and life skills that will help them gain access to meaningful and well-paid employment.
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