Monte McNaughton. Screenshot

Door Open To Skilled Trades Opportunities In North

Mike Ebbeling August 14, 2021 9:51 am Last Updated on August 14, 2021 9:51 am

The Ontario government is investing over one million dollars in two projects that will provide free training for 645 people in Northern Ontario.

The focus is helping those in Indigenous communities gain valuable skilled trades experience to fill jobs in the construction, forestry and mining industries.

Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton says the local demand is huge.

“In the first six months of this year there are over 2,600 postings in the North for jobs in the skilled trades. Each of these jobs is a pay cheque waiting to be collected.”

The investment includes $582,000 for NORCAT to train 20 participants with the skills and safety training to operate heavy machinery to build roads, move minerals and harvest forests.

Trainees will receive free in-class and hands-on training over a period of five-to-six weeks at NORCAT’s forest and mining operations in Thunder Bay, with free lodging and transportation to and from their training site.

Additionally, Ontario is investing $467,500 for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1687 to develop a virtual training centre to teach 625 electrical workers across remote Northern and First Nations communities.

Funding will support the purchase of audio visual equipment and development of an online curriculum so that workers can receive safety and equipment training, leadership development and business skills to upgrade their skills in careers including powerline technicians, network cabling specialists, electrical apprentices and journeypersons.

Classes will be live-streamed and videotaped for workers without high-speed internet.