Canada’s changing economy and investments in infrastructure make skills training critical to our future. Union-based skills training is a key element to achieving the Government’s commitment to get more people working in the skilled trades while also reducing barriers for apprentices to complete their training.
That’s why today, Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, on behalf of Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced a project that will invest in training equipment and materials to help apprentices get the skills they need to succeed. This project is funded under the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP).
The Government of Canada will provide over $575,000 over three years in the IUOE-TA Indigenous Training Partnerships Project, delivered by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115 Training Association. The organization will purchase equipment that will help participants as they develop their skills to help them get jobs in the Mobile Crane Operator and Heavy Equipment Operator Red Seal trades.
As a result of this project, which is being funded under Stream 1 of the UTIP, apprentices will get the chance to use high-quality equipment to develop improved skills and progress through their training. This practical experience will help apprentices, including Indigenous people and women succeed as they enter the workforce in their Red Seal trade.
To further help key groups facing barriers in the trades, Budget 2018 announced three new initiatives:
- $46 million over five years, starting in 2018–19, with $10 million per year ongoing, for a new Pre-Apprenticeship Program;
- $19.9 million over five years, starting in 2018–19, to support an Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women, a five-year pilot project where women in male-dominated Red Seal trades would receive a new grant of $3,000 for each of their first two years of training. This, in combination with the existing Apprenticeship Completion Grant valued at $2,000, will result in a total of $8,000 in support over the course of their training; and
- $10 million over three years, starting in 2018–19, for the new Women in Construction Fund which will build on existing models that have proven to be effective in attracting women to the trades. These models provide supports such as mentoring, coaching and tailored supports that help women progress through their training and find and retain jobs in the trades.
As Canada’s economy continues to grow and create good, well-paying jobs, the Government will ensure that all Canadians share in and benefit from this success.
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