Ontario Expanding Access to Apprenticeship Training Across the GTA
$1.7 million investment will help modernize training facilities and prepare more workers for rewarding careers in the skilled trades
May 28, 2026
Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing nearly $1.75 million to support six apprenticeship training projects across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The funding is delivered through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant program to upgrade training facilities, purchase modern equipment and expand hands-on learning opportunities for apprentices. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is helping more workers gain the skills needed to land rewarding careers in the skilled trades and ensure Ontario has the workforce it needs to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that the province needs.
“To build the homes, transit and infrastructure Ontario needs, we must continue training the next generation of skilled workers,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By investing in apprenticeship training across the GTA and throughout Ontario, we are helping apprentices gain hands-on experience with the modern tools and technologies they will use on the job.”
The Apprenticeship Capital Grant helps training providers modernize facilities and purchase industry-standard equipment to deliver high-quality, hands-on apprenticeship training. This latest investment will support projects in Durham, York, Peel and Halton regions that will enhance training labs, expand shop capacity and introduce advanced technologies to better prepare apprentices for in-demand careers.
The six funded projects include:
- Canadian Elevator Industry Educational Program, which is receiving $451,402 to add electric motor troubleshooting labs, expanding hands-on technical training equipment for elevator mechanic (elevating devices) apprentices.
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 Training Institute, which is receiving $400,000 to renovate and modernize the apprenticeship training centre, giving hoisting engineer (mobile crane operator) apprentices a safer, more capable environment to train in.
- Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 506 Training Centre, which is receiving $333,654 to purchase a telehandler and skid steer, enhancing hands-on training for construction craft worker apprentices.
- Provincial Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre, which is receiving $300,000 to introduce hands-on virtual reality training and modern equipment for sheet metal worker apprentices.
- Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology, which is receiving $205,000 to introduce new automotive and electrical training labs, expanding and modernizing in-class equipment and hands-on training opportunities for automotive service technician apprentices.
- Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, which is receiving $55,922 to purchase 24 carrier units to expand training capacity and equipment for apprentices in the plumbing trade.
These upgrades will provide apprentices with access to modern, industry-relevant training with equipment and spaces that reflect the needs of today’s employers. The investments will also help training providers keep pace with evolving technologies while preparing more workers for careers in sectors critical to Ontario’s growth, including construction, transportation and infrastructure.
To encourage more young people to explore careers in the skilled trades, Ontario is also supporting the return of the Level Up! skilled trades career fairs this fall in 12 communities across the province. Now in its fifth year, the fairs give students, parents and job seekers opportunities to connect with employers, experience hands-on demonstrations and learn more about careers in the trades.
Modernizing facilities and expanding access to the skilled trades is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a highly skilled workforce ready to meet growing demand and keep Ontario resilient into the future. Through its $236 billion plan to build, the government is delivering critical infrastructure projects that communities rely on while connecting more people to stable, good-paying careers.
Quick Facts
- Over the next decade, Ontario is expected to need over 400,000 workers to fill job openings in skilled trades-related occupations, across all sectors, due to retirements and job growth.
- The present Apprenticeship Capital Grant funding is at record levels since the program began.
- By 2034, about 1 in 6 job openings in Ontario are expected to be in a skilled trades-related occupation.
- In the construction sector alone, Ontario is expected to need nearly 75,000 workers to fill job openings in skilled trades-related occupations due to retirements and job growth.
- Through Budget 2025, the Ontario government invested $75 million to train up to 7,800 additional students at colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes across the province for in-demand jobs in construction and urban planning.
- Recently, the Ontario government announced $1.7 billion to fund 70,000 more seats for in-demand programs at publicly assisted colleges and universities, including skilled trades. This is part of the government’s new long-term funding model, which will bring $6.4 billion to our colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes.
- The Level Up! skilled trades career fairs are open to all students, parents, educators and job seekers.
- The Apprenticeship Capital Grant is supported by labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Quotes
“We’re building a brighter, stronger Ontario, and we need the highly skilled workers to do it. This investment will ensure our future skilled trades workers gets the cutting-edge education and hands-on skills they need to land good-paying jobs that protect Ontario.”
– Nolan Quinn
Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
“Ongoing investments in apprenticeship training help ensure individuals have access to the experience, equipment and supports needed to pursue careers in the skilled trades. Supporting training providers across Ontario is key to maintaining high-quality learning environments, strengthening pathways into the trades, and building a skilled workforce that can respond to evolving labour market needs.”
– Candice White
CEO and Registrar, Skilled Trades Ontario
“Premier Doug Ford and Minister David Piccini have long recognized the importance of the skilled trades to the province’s economic well-being and this funding will go a long way to ensure the next generation of Operating Engineers will be equipped with all the knowledge and skills required to build the homes, hospitals and infrastructure our province will need.”
– Mike Gallagher
Business Manager, IUOE Local 793
“The Apprenticeship Capital Grant enables us to invest in equipment that directly reflects the needs of the construction industry. Through this funding, we purchased a rotating telehandler and a skid steer – critical for preparing apprentices for real work in the field. We’re grateful for Minister Piccini’s continued support in developing a strong, skilled workforce for Ontario.”
– Omar Passos
Director of Training, LiUNA Local 506 Training Centre
“We are extremely grateful to the Ministry for this $300,000 Apprenticeship Capital Grant (ACG) Call for Proposal (CFP) grant program. This funding allows The Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre to modernize apprentice education by incorporating virtual reality technology into our programs. VR training gives apprentices hands-on experience in a safe, efficient and innovative environment while reducing material waste and consumable costs. It also allows us to expose students to many different aspects of the sheet metal industry that would otherwise require large and costly physical training labs. These investments help us build a more advanced, sustainable and highly skilled workforce for the future of our growing industry.”
– Scott A. Wood
Provincial Training Director, Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre
“Ontario’s investment in apprenticeship training across the GTA demonstrates a strong commitment to building the skilled workforce our communities and industries depend on. At Durham College, this important support strengthens our ability to deliver hands-on, industry-aligned training through enhanced automotive and electrical labs, helping prepare apprentices for in-demand careers. By modernizing our training environments and expanding access to advanced equipment, we are helping ensure learners graduate with the skills and experience needed to succeed. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the province to support economic growth and build a highly skilled workforce for Durham Region and across Ontario.”
– Dr. Elaine Popp
President, Durham College
“This investment helps Sheridan expand the kind of real-world apprenticeship training that industry is asking for right now. By increasing access to modern commercial plumbing installation systems, we can train more apprentices in the complex mechanical and infrastructure systems they will encounter on active construction sites across Ontario to help meet the government’s mandate on building more housing.”
– Dr. Cindy Gouveia
President & Vice Chancellor, Sheridan College
Additional Resources
- Apprenticeship Capital Grant
- Level Up! Career Fairs
- Apprenticeship in Ontario
- Skilled Trades Ontario
- Employment Ontario
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Media Contacts
Spenser Maki
Minister’s Office
spenser.maki@ontario.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
mlitsdmedialine@ontario.ca
