The Government of Ontario recently announced a $26 million investment for a new training center at LiUNA 183’s skilled trades training campus in Vaughan. Premier Doug Ford’s $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream will fund the center and support the training of over one million workers throughout the province. 

Currently, the LiUNA 183 training campus can support around 50,000 workers in training for in-demand careers in trades such as bricklaying, concrete finishing, and heavy equipment operation. The new facility will enable LiUNA 183 to double that capacity to approximately 100,000. 

“Through our new $224 million Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, our government is continuing to support the world-class Ontario workers who are rebuilding our province’s economy,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I’m so pleased that we are able to work with LiUNA 183 to help nearly 50,000 additional workers from across the GTA access the skills and training they need to find better jobs and bigger paycheques in the skilled trades.”

Regarding building upgrades, the funding will go toward a larger union hall for the increased capacity and more workshops and classrooms so the influx of workers can receive in-class and in-house training. LiUNA 183 is Canada’s largest training program; workers can even access training to construct a full-sized two-story home right within the center. 

David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration Training and Skills Development, says, “Under Premier Ford, our government has an ambitious plan to build Ontario: from new housing that families can call home, to highways and public transit connecting our communities, and clean energy projects powering our economy, but as a large share of experienced tradespeople are retiring over the coming years, we must transfer the skills and expertise from the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of students. That’s why we’re partnering with LiUNA 183 to train almost 100,000 new construction workers who will leverage the wisdom of experienced tradespeople to build Ontario’s bright future.”

Once complete, the training center will boost access to apprenticeship training by up to 40% for people, including women, youth, and other underrepresented groups, who want to gain new skills and train for successful jobs.

The LiUNA Local 183 Training Centre provides health and safety training, construction skills training, and apprenticeship training in six areas: Toronto, Cobourg, Kingston, Barrie, Cambridge, and Vaughan.