Funding to help train local workers is on the way.
Monte McNaughton, the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, announced the provincial government is investing $600,000 to train 63 workers for local high demand careers. The announcement came at Canadore’s Commerce Court campus, Monday.
“In North Bay, and throughout the Northeast Ontario Economic Region, more than 7,700 jobs go unfilled every day,” said Minister McNaughton. “Those are paycheques waiting to be collected. But the workers aren’t there. My mission is to fix this problem, in part by providing funding for more people to prepare for these exciting, fulfilling careers. Today’s announcement is a good next step.”
Some of the careers in the area the government says have gone without skilled workers include personal support workers, machine operators, general carpenters and electricians.
The funding is expected to support:
- 16 pre-apprenticeship trainees for general carpenter and electrical trades at Canadore College
- 17 machine operator trainees for the local manufacturing sector through an Ontario SkillsAdvance Partnership between Canadore College, Yes Employment Services Inc. and eight local employers
- 30 personal support workers for the local health-care sector through an Ontario SkillsAdvance Partnership between Canadore College, District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board and local employers
“These funds will help people in this city and region – including young people, Indigenous people and women – find careers in industries where they are badly needed,” McNaughton said.
“It is wonderful that the government works in partnership with the colleges to provide pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship training,” President of Canadore College, George Burton said. “We know that there is a shortage of skilled labour in the province of Ontario, and our joint efforts will close this gap, as we continue to invest in students and infrastructure.”
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, who is the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, attended the announcement and echoed the sentiments of his fellow minister.
“Careers in the trades are exciting, fulfilling and often very lucrative,” Fedeli said. “We need to let young people know they are a viable first career choice. This is especially crucial as Ontario faces the looming problem of our existing skilled tradespeople retiring faster than we can replace them.”