Government of Canada funds project with LiUNA Local 1059 to help apprentices in London, Ontario

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

News release

May 24, 2019              London, Ontario              Employment and Social Development Canada

Canada’s changing economy and investments in infrastructure make skills training critical to our future. The skilled trades offer good, well-paying, middle-class jobs, and the Government of Canada is committed to helping key groups, such as women, Indigenous people, newcomers and people with disabilities, to access these jobs.

That is why today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced a project that will invest in training equipment and materials to help approximately 180 apprentices get the skills they need to succeed. This project is funded under the Union Training and Innovation Program’s (UTIP) Investments in Training Equipment Stream.

The Government of Canada will provide over $123,000 over three years for the project, delivered by the Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 1059 Training Trust Fund.

LiUNA Local 1059 will purchase modern equipment to improve safety and productivity, including skid-steer loaders, cameras, drones and laptops. Furthermore, by training and re-certifying apprentices onsite, Local 1059 will minimize work disruptions for both employers and apprentices. Finally, other locals, millwrights, piledrivers, floorlayers, carpenters and other tradespeople across Canada will be able to make use of the new equipment to obtain their certification.

UTIP projects help unions across Canada improve the quality of training through investments in up‑to-date training equipment and materials. They support innovation and enhanced partnerships to address long-standing challenges that limit apprenticeship outcomes in Canada. As a result of this investment, more apprentices will be able to develop their skills, complete their training and find good, well-paying jobs.

As Canada’s economy continues to grow and create good, well-paying jobs, the Government is committed to ensuring that all Canadians share in and benefit from this success.

Quotes

“Canada’s future success depends on building an economy that is as inclusive as it is innovative. That’s why our government is investing in this project that will help apprentices in London, especially those who face additional barriers to participating and succeeding in the skilled trades, start exciting and well-paying careers in the trades.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“Fund matching provided by the Government of Canada through UTIP has been invaluable to our work at the LiUNA Local 1059 Training Centre. Generous financial contributions to our program allow us to train and certify the next generation of tradespeople, set industry standards for curriculum development and student retention, and remain at the forefront of promoting the skilled trades as a first choice career. Funding we received through UTIP in 2018 and 2019 is enabling us to modernize and enhance our training methods to attract top candidates (for example, purchasing cutting-edge, green technology). Infrastructure developments are booming in Southwestern Ontario, and UTIP funding is helping the Local 1059 Training Centre deliver the highly skilled labourers necessary for these crucial infrastructure projects.”
– Brandon MacKinnon, Business Manager, LiUNA Local 1059

Quick facts

  • The Government is investing $25 million annually in support of the Union Training and Innovation Program through two streams:

    • Stream 1: Investments in Training Equipment Stream
    • Stream 2: Innovation in Apprenticeship Stream

  • The Government of Canada also provides a range of supports to apprentices to help them complete their training and become certified. These include grants, loans, tax credits and Employment Insurance supports during technical training.

  • The Government proposed several new measures in Budget 2019:

    • $40 million over four years in funding for Skills Canada, starting in 2020–21, and $10 million per year ongoing, to encourage more young people to consider training and careers in the skilled trades;
    • $6 million over two years, starting in 2019–20, to create a national campaign to promote the skilled trades as a first-choice career for young people;
    • a new Apprenticeship Strategy to ensure that existing supports and programs available to apprentices address the barriers faced by those who want to work in the skilled trades and support employers who face challenges in hiring and retaining apprentices;
    • a lower interest rate on Canada Apprentice Loans starting in 2019–20 and making the first six months after a borrower completes their apprenticeship training interest-free; and
    • the new Canada Training Benefit, which would give workers money to help pay for training, provide income support during training, and offer job protection so that workers can take the time they need to keep their skills relevant and in demand.

  • On April 30, the Government of Canada launched the 2019 Call for Proposals for the Investments in Training Equipment Stream, with total funding of approximately $10 million. Eligible organizations are encouraged to submit proposals by May 29, 2019.

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Contacts

Véronique Simard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
veronique.simard@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-5611

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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