The Ontario government has committed $5.3 million to new and enhanced state-of-the-art training to upskill 500 electrical workers, “giving them a competitive edge and boosting homegrown talent”.
This initiative, offered in partnership with electrical contractor Spark Power, will provide free training for those individuals and upgrade their existing online, on-the-job and in-classroom education programming. Spark Power will also create scholarships to encourage youth to pursue rewarding careers in electrical professions.
“Young people need to know that a career in the electrical trades is in-demand, exciting and within reach,” said Minister McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development.
“We’re helping them get there by investing in great ideas like this one, which will help new and experienced electrical professionals sharpen their skills with state-of-the-art training. This is just one more way we’re keeping our economy strong.”
Spark Power’s free training is expected to start in August 2021, and will include electrical maintenance, power generation systems and health and safety regulations for their workers and potential new employees.
The new program will use a variety of modern learning techniques that make the training safer and more effective, including virtual reality and augmented reality, webinars, online training, hands-on training and job shadowing.
“We are thrilled to receive grant funding from the Skills Development Fund,” said Richard Jackson, president and CEO of Spark Power. “With this support, Spark Power is enhancing its training initiatives by focusing on the company’s electricians, technicians, and apprentices.”
The year-long program will enable Spark Power to continue implementing and expanding innovative educational technologies, cross-team training, and outreach to local high schools and post-secondary institutions to recruit new talent within the power sector.
In addition to creating scholarships, the program will provide paid placements for co-op students and apprentices to help them start their careers.
“Spark Power is a respected energy and electrical company with a strong commitment to the Oakville community,” said Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North–Burlington. “It’s companies like Spark Power that will help lead Ontario back to economic success and prosperity and our government is helping them in every way we can.”
This project aligns with Ontario’s Skilled Trades Strategy, an initiative that helps support economic recovery by breaking the stigma of the skilled trades, simplifying the apprenticeship system, and encouraging more employer involvement.
“The Skills Development Fund investment of $5.3 million to Spark Power Corp provides an opportunity to deliver advanced training and employee development. Spark Power will continue to be a local leader and job creator,” said Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford.
Funding for the project comes from Ontario’s $115 million Skills Development Fund. More than 500 applications were received in the first month for this new fund, and a second application round is being planned for later in 2021.