On August 16th, the Government of Canada published a news release detailing plans to invest in attracting young people, women, and other marginalized groups to the skilled trades. More than $13.6 million in funding under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) will support five projects in the Greater Toronto Area. 

Under the Investments in Training Equipment stream 2022 and 2023 calls for proposals, 114 projects will help training educators and unions improve coaching by purchasing industry-standard tools and technology.

Under the Innovation in Apprenticeship Stream 2022 calls for proposals, persons with disabilities, women, newcomers, racialized peoples, and Indigenous people are recruited and supported in 10 projects with career services, mentorship, and job-matching.

The Government of Canada invests nearly $1 billion annually in apprenticeship support via loans, grants, tax credits, EI during training, project funding, and support for the Red Seal Program. This investment builds a well-rounded skilled trades workforce and ensures inclusivity for the future.

“Canada is home to the smartest minds, the most talented workers and a strong education, training, and employment system,” said Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages. “Building on these strengths will help us adapt to a changing global economy and get ahead. By investing in the skilled trades and jobs of the future, we are setting up workers and businesses to take advantage of every opportunity, while creating good jobs for Canadian workers.”

Under the new UTIP Sustainable Jobs funding Stream, a call for proposals was launched on June 20th, 2024, to support the development of green training for trade workers. The call for proposals closed on September 5th, 2024.