The Ontario government has announced an investment of $5.7 million to launch a new Skilled Trades Training Centre in Strathroy.

The facility will be run by a partnership that includes the Technical Training Group, Lambton College, Thames Valley District School Board and London District Catholic School Board.

“Everything Premier Ford and our government is doing is about helping people find meaningful work close to home, so they can earn bigger paycheques, take care of their families and build stronger communities,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “This investment means young people in Strathroy will have access to cutting-edge technology and education, so they are ready for life-long careers in the skilled trades.”

The centre, which will have state-of-art equipment, 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 fabricators, through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.

In addition to training and program delivery, the province’s investment will help school boards purchase a lifting crane, welding booth and accessories, robotics, 3D printers and safety equipment.

“This project aligns perfectly with the municipality’s growing Junior Trades programs, which are already attracting local young people to the skilled trades,” said Strathroy Mayor Joanne Vanderheyden. “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.”

Finally, the program will connect participants and local employers under one roof to ensure training meets the needs of the local job market and students have the skills employers need.

Demand for skilled tradespeople in the London area is growing, based on online job postings. There were over 2,000 online job postings for skilled trades-related positions in the London Census Metropolitan Area over the last six months compared to about 1,300 a year earlier. Construction millwrights/industrial mechanics and welders were among the positions in demand by employers.