Investing to Protect and Train Workers in Northern Ontario

Skills Development Fund investments will prepare more than 7,300 workers and jobseekers across Northern Ontario for in-demand careers

The Ontario government is supporting workers’ training and economic growth through the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream. Through an investment of nearly $8 million across three training projects and one capital investment, Ontario aims to help more than 7,300 people in the North access training and prepare for in-demand jobs in critical sectors like mining and the skilled trades. These projects will ensure Northern Ontario has the skilled workforce needed to deliver Ontario’s $236 billion plan to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that will protect Ontario workers and communities.

“This investment is about building a stronger workforce today, while ensuring Ontario has the talent to deliver the major infrastructure and economic growth projects of tomorrow,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Through the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund, we are helping more people gain the hands-on experience, certifications and employer connections they need to succeed in high-demand sectors. These projects will ensure workers across the province can access the training and support they need to step into in-demand careers and drive growth across Ontario.”

Minister Piccini was joined by representatives from Community Builders Construction, which is receiving $1,953,690 through the sixth round of the SDF Training Stream to help 189 individuals facing barriers to employment prepare for careers in the skilled trades. Through hands-on training, employment supports and direct connections to employers, the project will help participants gain the skills, experience and industry connections needed to secure good-paying jobs in construction while helping address skills gaps in one of Ontario’s most in-demand sectors.

Through SDF Training Stream Round 6, the Ontario government is also partnering with two other organizations to deliver training and workforce development opportunities across the North:

• Niiwin Wendaanimok LP is receiving $1,951,000 to train 100 Indigenous participants from four Treaty #3 communities. Participants will receive technical training in construction on Highway 17, along with financial literacy, leadership development and job readiness supports.
• Wahkohtowin is receiving $703,234 to provide 60 participants from across Northern Ontario with Indigenous-led, employer-aligned jobs and retention training, mentorship and industry connections to build meaningful careers in environmental monitoring.

Through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, the Ontario government is celebrating the near completion of a long-term training infrastructure in the region by providing $3,270,899 to Science North to establish a new Sudbury training centre at its Dynamic Earth site. The new centre will help train 7,000 individuals annually in mining, construction and other sectors for a total of 35,000 new trainees over five years.

The new SDF Training Stream Round 6 projects have been evaluated, selected and will be delivered through a strengthened program that aligns with recommendations from the Auditor General’s 2025 program review. These enhancements include:

• Tracking longer-term employment outcomes at three, six and 12 months to better measure success and improve program monitoring.
• Increasing transparency by requiring applications to disclose the use of registered lobbyists and consultants, with information verified against Ontario’s Lobbyists Registry.
• Strengthening project selection through a more rigorous project screening, risk assessment and evaluation process.

Above and beyond the Auditor General’s recommendations, the ministry also implemented new tools for risk management and due diligence, including analyzing individuals associated with applications, in addition to the organization.

The enhanced SDF Training Stream Round 6 is part of the government's plan to Protect Ontario by ensuring workers are prepared with the skills needed to deliver nation-building projects in energy, mining, infrastructure and manufacturing. By investing in training and upskilling projects, the government is helping protect all Ontario workers and communities from economic uncertainty while building the skilled workforce needed to attract investment, strengthen supply chains and drive long-term economic growth.

Quick Facts

• SDF is contributing to achievements across the labour market. Last round, more than 14,000 people achieved employment and more than 67,000 upskilled after completing their SDF training.
• More youth are starting rewarding careers in the skilled trades with over 65 per cent of new registrants being under the age of 25.
• There are more women going into the skilled trades than any time in the history of the Ministry’s data collection, with 15 per cent of active apprentices being female.
• Ontario received 930 applications during the public call for proposals for SDF Training Stream Round 6 and plans to fund 172 projects, supporting training for more than 131,000 people.
• The program objectives include developing a resilient workforce, encouraging partnerships and driving innovation, supporting skilled trades and construction labour and providing a targeted response to U.S. tariffs through supporting in-demand skilled trades and industrial sectors.
• The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development evaluates applications based on the publicly available guidelines and criteria. The Ministry provides eligibility assessments and evaluations, accompanied by risk and due diligence analysis for project selection. When a decision is made, ministry officials negotiate transfer payment agreements and ensure cross-government collaboration to minimize risk to the government and to maximize potential outcomes across Ontario’s economy.
• Through Rounds 1-5, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has helped more than 100,000 participants find employment within sixty days of completing their program, supported more than 1,000 training projects and aimed to help over 700,000 workers train for in-demand sectors.
• This includes 385 projects in the construction sector, supporting over 156,000 participants; 195 projects in the manufacturing sector, supporting over 144,000 participants; 95 projects in the healthcare sector, supporting over 62,000 participants; 60 projects in mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, supporting more than 22,000 participants; 14 projects in the forestry sector, supporting more than 3,900 participants and 12 projects aiming to train firefighters, supporting over 920 participants.
• The Skills Development Fund Training Stream Round 6 is funded exclusively by the Government of Ontario.