The Ontario Government is investing over $13 M to help train apprentices and journeypersons in electrical and low voltage fields. The investment is part of a $200M Skills Development Fund to assist with training in the province.
On March 15th, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, was joined in Ottawa by the IBEW CCO’s James Barry and IBEW Local 586 Business Manager, John Bourke, for the announcement.
The Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust Fund has received confirmation for a second project to increase apprenticeship registrations for the network cabling specialist (631A) apprenticeship program. The funding will help encourage more employers to hire apprentices and to promote the electrical trades to underrepresented populations.
The first program, launched in 2021 under the same mandate, has already provided training to 195 tradespeople and 33 employers.
This funding announcement will help apprentices access the best training possible to address the growing need by employers for certified Network Cabling Specialists. As technology continues to evolve, this in-demand trade not only provides a fulfilling career for young people and underrepresented populations but their skills will be critical to helping build and sustain Ontario’s infrastructure well into the future. I commend Minister McNaughton for continuing to promote high training and safety standards in the skilled trades.
James Barry
You can also reach out to IBEW Locals 105, 115, 120, 402 and 1687 who also received SDF funding as part of today’s announcement for details on what the funding will provide for the members in their individual areas.
Executive Secretary Treasurer
IBEW Construction Council of Ontario
IBEW Locals and NETCO Receive Funding
National Electrical Trade Council
$4.19M to help upskill 1,050 electricians across the province. The first project focused on training related to EV charging stations. The second project will allow IBEW Training Centres to offer virtual training.
More information is available at https://netco.org/.
IBEW Local 1687
$467,500 to provide online skills training to over 600 registered apprentices in remote communities of Northern Ontario.
For more information, contact Travis Merrett at 705-566-1687 or info@ibew1687.org.
IBEW Local 105
$303,000 to train electricians through the Welding Recruitment and Retention Program. The goal is to dual ticket 40 electricians as 309A Electrician/SMAW welders.
To apply, contact Theo Davis, Training Director, at tdavis@ibewlu105.com.
IBEW Local 120
$1.18M to provide electrical trades training to 150 people in the Chippewas of the Thames and Munsee-Delaware First Nations.
$421,000 to provide advanced training and continued education on emerging technologies in the electrical trade
For more information or to apply, contact John Gibson at 519-652-2929.
IBEW 402
$230,000 to provide training and job placements to underrepresented groups in order to address the skilled trades shortage in Northern Ontario.
To find an IBEW Local Union near you, visit our Find Your Local page.
Interested in accesses online courses at no cost? For a limited time, we’re offering free virtual training on mentorship and inclusive workplaces to IBEW members in Ontario. Learn more about the courses offered here.