BURNABY,
BC, Aug. 16, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the
Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens' Services, on behalf
of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official
Languages, Randy Boissonnault, announced a total of
$16,363,288 for 25 projects across
British Columbia. These projects
are funded through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Union
Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) – Investments in Training
Equipment Stream. Today, Minister Boissonnault announced more than
$74.6 million is being invested in
124 projects funded through recent calls for proposals under the
UTIP.
Skilled tradespeople are essential for Canada to build more homes and unlock the
country's full economic potential. To help recruit, train and
retain more apprentices in skilled trades, our government is making
investments to attract more Canadians for these rewarding and
in-demand jobs.
Under the Investments in Training Equipment stream 2022 and
2023 calls for proposals, 114 projects are helping unions and
training providers improve the quality of training through the
purchase of equipment and materials that meet the latest
industry standards or investing in new technology.
UTIP is part of the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's response
to the skilled trades workforce's most pressing needs, including
addressing barriers to successful entry, addressing the housing
crisis, and increasing net-zero construction to unlock Canada's economic potential.
The Government of Canada invests
nearly $1 billion annually in
apprenticeship supports through grants, loans, tax credits,
Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training, project
funding, and support for the Red Seal Program to help build a
robust skilled trades workforce for the future that is inclusive,
certified and productive.
Quotes
"Canada is home to the smartest
minds, the most talented workers and a strong education, training,
and employment system. Building on these strengths will help us
adapt to a changing global economy and get ahead. By investing in
the skilled trades and jobs of the future, we are setting up
workers and businesses to take advantage of every opportunity,
while creating good jobs for Canadian workers."
– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official
Languages, Randy Boissonnault
"To build more homes and improve our infrastructure, we need
more skilled trades. By funding these projects in the skilled
trades, our government is helping more British Columbians to get
the training they need to work in these rewarding and in-demand
jobs. This will support the development of a workforce that is
skilled, inclusive, and certified."
– Minister of Citizens' Services, Terry
Beech
Quick Facts
- Since the start of the program in 2017, the Government of
Canada has invested nearly
$305 million in grants and
contributions funding under UTIP.
- A call for proposals under the new UTIP Sustainable Jobs
funding Stream was launched on June 20,
2024 to support unions and their partners in leading the
development of green training for workers in the trades. An
investment of over $95 million over
five years will help unions and their partners provide green
training to approximately 20,000 apprentices, journeypersons and
other workers. This call for proposals is open until September 5, 2024. As part of this funding, a
separate agreement with the Government of Quebec will support the province in
implementing a program that accounts for the specific features of
Quebec's apprenticeship
system.
- To help address the growing need for skilled trades workers,
Budget 2024 announced the Government's intention to deliver a
$90 million investment for the
Apprenticeship Service to support small and medium-sized employers
in creating placements for apprentices and $10 million for the Skilled Trades Awareness and
Readiness Program to encourage Canadians to explore and prepare for
careers in the skilled trades.
- The Government of Canada also
supports apprentices financially as they progress through their
technical training. Apprentices can access Employment Insurance
benefits during technical training and up to $20,000 in interest-free Canada Apprentice Loans
as well as Apprenticeship Grants of up to $4,000.
- Canada.ca/skilled-trades provides Canadians with information
about what the skilled trades are, how to become a tradesperson and
what financial supports are available to them while in
training.
Associated Links
Backgrounder: Union Training and Innovation Program
About the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy
Union Training and Innovation Program
Budget 2024
Canada.ca/skilled-trades
Follow us on Twitter
SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada