'We're breaking down barriers to get more youth into rewarding lifelong careers in the skilled trades'
Ontario has reached its highest number of active apprentices since 2016, fuelled by the provincial government’s multi-billion-dollar investment in skills training through the Skills Development Fund (SDF), according to a report.
The province’s Apprenticeship Impact Tracker reports 105,124 active apprentices registered in Ontario for 2024–25, a sharp increase from 73,239 in 2016, as noted by Daily Commercial News.
This growth comes four years after the SDF was launched in 2021 — a $1.5 billion initiative aimed at closing the province’s skills gap and expanding access to trades training.
The SDF comprises two streams: the Training Stream supports hiring, training, and upskilling programs for jobseekers, apprentices, and workers; and the Capital Stream supports upgrades or construction of training centres for the skilled trades..
In 2024, Ontario announced it is investing $260 million through the SDF Training Stream, the largest round of funding since the launch of the program.
The SDF supports both training and capital projects, with the goal of accelerating apprenticeship opportunities and modernising facilities across key sectors such as construction, manufacturing, automotive, and technology. It has funded new training centres, upgraded outdated infrastructure, and introduced targeted training programs for in-demand trades.
“We’re breaking down barriers to get more youth into rewarding lifelong careers in the skilled trades and our plan is working,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development, in a statement to the Daily Commercial News.
“We’re doubling down on our efforts through the Skills Development Fund to help people get better training, for better jobs, with bigger paycheques. Together, we will continue to protect these important pathways for Ontario workers.”
Several regions across Ontario have seen direct benefits from the fund:
The Ontario government continues to promote the SDF as a central element in its workforce development strategy, aimed at equipping residents with the skills required for well-paying jobs and supporting economic growth across the province.
This is crucial as the province faces massive labour shortages. According to BuildForce Canada, Ontario’s construction employers alone will need to fill 154,100 job positions by 2034.
“Construction growth in Ontario will be such that the province can expect to need to recruit an additional 63,800 workers to keep up with increasing demand over the forecast period,” said BuildForce Canada. “When combined with the need to replace as many as 90,300 workers who are projected to exit the industry due to retirement over the decade, the industry could face hiring requirements of 154,100 workers by 2034.”
Canada’s construction industry, overall, will face a total hiring requirement of 380,500 workers by 2034, forecasts BuildForce Canada.
Apprenticeship programs are key in addressing labour shortages, syas Alex Mahoney, senior account executive at ApprentiScope.
“Apprenticeship programs target and train people of all ages across all industries, not just the trades. If employers need the skill, they can build an Apprenticeship around it,” he said.
“Registered apprenticeship programs are a win-win for apprentices and employers. Apprentices can kick start their careers as they are paid to learn and employers can train motivated individuals in skills the company needs.”
In 2024, Ontario announced it is creating the Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST), building on the successful Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).
Meanwhile, the Alberta government is teaming up with labour unions to equip workers with the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. The province is investing $15 million over the next three years to create a new grant program that will empower unions to offer apprenticeship training in high-demand programs.
