The Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) is among 10 organizations in Waterloo Region to share in just under $13 million worth of funding from the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund.

As part of its Path to Employment program, GVCA is receiving $1,492,900 to provide participants in Waterloo, Brant and Wellington with safety training and professional development followed by job placements.

"Our Path to Employment Program continues to thrive because of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s contribution and commitment to the Skills Development Fund,” said GVCA President Jeff MacIntyre. “Our objective to identify individuals looking for careers in the skilled trades, training them with certifications and basic skills then matching them with employers looking for general labourers has shown significant positive results. It has reduced the unknown variables of hiring employees by having trained and motivated employees to fill roles. It has also increased the participants’ basic skills creating better matching with employers. Most of the participants have been offered full-time employment."

This latest instalment of funding from the province is intended to help more than 50,000 people in Waterloo Region prepare for work in high-demand sectors, including construction, manufacturing, skilled trades, education and health innovation.

“The investments we are announcing today will help more than 50,000 workers and students in Waterloo Region get the skills and training they need to remain on the job, no matter what comes our way from President Trump’s tariffs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “By making sure people have the tools and training to succeed, we’re protecting paycheques, supporting local employers and building a stronger, more competitive Ontario economy.”

Ford made the announcement at the AirBoss Rubber Solutions manufacturing facility in Kitchener, which is receiving $829,000 to upskill workers with training in forklift operation and other key skills.

The province is partnering with eight other organizations in Waterloo Region and surrounding areas to deliver training programs:

• Canadian Tooling & Machining Association is receiving $2,250,000 to deliver experiential work placements in the precision metalworking industry, including youth from underrepresented groups.

• Blue Branch is receiving $1,660,000 to train youth and newcomers in modular housing construction through a six-week program in Cambridge.

• Medical Innovation Xchange is receiving $1,500,000 to upskill participants in the life science and innovation sectors through hands-on training, mentorship and lab experience in partnership with the University of Waterloo.

• Knowledgehook is receiving $1,478,300 to improve math skills for students and educators from kindergarten to Grade 12, helping build a future-ready workforce.

• Delta Elevator Company Ltd. is receiving $1,158,500 to enhance the Elevating Devices Mechanic Apprenticeship with advanced electrical training for apprentices.

• Advance Millwrights Inc. is receiving $1,000,000 to help staff achieve Canadian Welding Bureau and Technical Standards and Safety Authority certifications through instruction and hands-on training.

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 804 is receiving $832,000 to support new apprentices through classroom instruction, certifications and mentored job placements in the Waterloo area.
• Christian Labour Association of Canada is receiving $723,600 to expand its Group Sponsorship Grant program, helping new apprentices and employers across nine skilled trades.

Since its launch in 2021, Ontario has invested $1.5 billion through the SDF Training Stream and Capital Stream to help train more than one million workers for in-demand careers. It added an extra billion dollars to the fund in its 2025 budget over the next three years to help train even more workers.