Ontario Construction News staff writer
The province is building a new $5.7 million skilled trades training centre in southwestern Ontario.
“This project aligns perfectly with the municipality’s growing junior trades programs which are already attracting local young people to the skilled trades,” Mayor Joanne Vanderheyden said in a news release.
“This partnership is an incredible opportunity to give students and apprentices access to the high-quality training they need to kick off a career in the trades, and close to home.”
Demand for skilled tradespeople in the London area and across Ontario is growing, based on online job postings in the last six months. Construction millwrights/industrial mechanics and welders were among the positions in demand by employers.
The centre to be located near London in Strathroy, is a partnership with the Technical Training Group, Lambton College, Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board.
Programs will provide apprentices, secondary and elementary school students with the equipment and training they need to explore careers as industrial mechanic millwrights, welders and metal abricators, as part of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. Participating school boards will purchase a lifting crane, welding booth and accessories, robotics, 3D printers and safety equipment.
“This project will give young people the opportunity to pursue their apprenticeship training locally and be more likely to enter our local workforce,” said Fred Tranquilli, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc.
Participants will be connected with local employers under one roof to ensure training meets the needs of the local job market.
“Young people are leaving Strathroy-Caradoc to pursue careers in the trades and they are not coming back,” said Fred Tranquilli, chief administrative officer, Strathroy-Caradoc.
“This project will give young people the opportunity to pursue their apprenticeship training locally and be more likely to enter our local workforce. This is a critical pillar of our economic development strategy.”