Posted Aug 25, 2023 5:41 am ET
Ontario Secretary of Labor Monte McNaughton takes the podium during a news conference in Toronto on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Ontario is expected to pour $160 million into skills training programs, with a priority on helping people on welfare and those with criminal records.
Secretary of Labor Monte McNaughton will today announce the fourth round of funding from the Skills Development Fund.
His goal is to provide at least 100,000 people with free education in healthcare, automotive manufacturing, IT, hospitality and crafts.
The announcement brings total training from the Skills Development Fund to more than $860 million. So far, 596 projects in different sectors have been supported.
According to McNaughton, one million people in Ontario have criminal records, most of them for nonviolent and minor crimes, and half of them are still on welfare 15 years after their release.
He says around 40 percent of people with criminal records are unable to get a second interview when looking for a job. That’s why he calls on organizations to submit proposals that will help them find meaningful work while tackling labor shortages.
“It’s something we really encourage and encourage companies to get involved in,” he said in an interview.
“I just think there’s a huge opportunity. These workers become very loyal to the employer who gives them a chance and there is a huge opportunity to promote these people.”
Applications for funding must be submitted by November 17th.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 25, 2023.
“Travel aficionado. Twitter scholar. Writer. Extreme coffee guru. Evil pop culture fanatic.”