OAKVILLE, ONT. — An investment of $3.7 million from the Ontario government will help up to 2,500 workers start or progress in a career in the construction industry.
The announcement was made recently by Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, in a bid to address the labor shortage.
The investment will help Merit Ontario, an organization that supports entrepreneurs who employ unionized and non-unionized workers, expand its online job bank. The job bank matches thousands of people with construction jobs at more than 300 small, medium and large employers in their communities and helps job seekers assess their skills, access additional training and prepare to interviews.
The funding will also support Merit’s online training center, which helps up to 2,500 construction workers train for the next stage of their careers and earn more take home pay, the statement said.
Funding will come from the Skills Development Fund, a $560 million initiative.
“The Government of Ontario’s continued investment in Construction Ontario is helping small and medium construction employers and their employees access high-quality, engaging and accessible training to help them improve their productivity and improve occupational health and safety,” said Mike Gallardo, president and CEO of Merit Ontario, in a statement.
