MPP Rickford Announces Skills Training for Indigenous Workers and At-Risk Youth

April 13, 2023

Nearly $2 Million Provincial Investment to Support Niiwin Wendaanimok Construction Capacity Project

KENORA  —  MPP Greg Rickford announced the Ontario government’s investment of over $1.9 million in a project that offers Indigenous workers and at-risk youth skilled trade and apprenticeship training in Kenora. This initiative is supported through the government’s Skills Development Fund, a program that offers funding to a wide range of organizations for innovative projects that address Ontario’s labour shortage and stimulate growth in key sectors of the provincial economy.

“Our government has a robust plan to train individuals for key sectors in the Northwest,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora Rainy – River. “By expanding apprenticeship offerings, we are supporting Indigenous workers and at-risk youth with the foundations in the skilled trades, and we are confident this will result in prosperity across Ontario.”

Niiwin Wendaanimok Limited Partnership’s Construction Capacity Project is targeting to help 50 people gain the education, skills training and apprenticeship experience they need for jobs in the fields of road and building construction, specifically in the General Carpentry and Heavy-Duty Equipment Operator trades. The training will include work placements, registration with the Ministry, holistic supports and services, mentorship, and ongoing job readiness support.

“The Anishinaabe people have always had their economies. Our economies were taken away from us. Our youth were made at-risk youth because of colonial policies. Today marks a key milestone in rebuilding our economies by investing in our people, our beautiful Anishinaabe people,” said Chief Chris Skead, Wauzhushk Onigum Nation. “It is these workers, these youth, these amazing people who will continue to make us proud and carry the responsibility of caring for our lands for the generations ahead.”

During the training, program participants will be connected with employers, receive employment retention support, and learn about work-related burnout prevention strategies.

Niiwin Wendaanimok Limited Partnership’s will also establish a High-Skills Major program in Construction at a local First Nation secondary school in the Kenora area. Students will complete a construction multi-Skills program and will be offered virtual tutoring, counselling and career development, job placements, and paid internships.

These programs are open to individuals from the following regions:

  • Washagamis Bay First Nation
  • Shoal Lake 40 First Nation
  • Wauzhusk Onigum Ojibway Nation
  • Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation
  • TransCanada Highway – Manitoba Border

With training beginning July 1st, 2023, interested participants can apply by emailing admin@niiwinwendfaanimok.com or by calling (431) 373-0094.

“Ontario needs all hands on deck to help build the highways, transit, schools, homes and hospitals our growing population relies on,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “As we continue to tackle labour shortages in Ontario, our Skills Development Fund helps people get the training they need so that they can get jobs they can be proud of and earn a bigger paycheque for themselves and their families.”

The Skills Development Fund is open to a wide range of applicants, including employers, industry associations, labour unions, municipalities, hospitals and many more. In addition to supporting one-year projects, the fund also allows funding over several years to support longer-term projects. This enables interested organizations to receive funding to provide skills development services and training through a more flexible and tailored approach.

The funding announced today builds on the government’s continuing mission to attract, support and protect workers, and to make Ontario the best place in the world to work, live and raise a family. In support of this effort, the province recently introduced the third Working for Workers Act and is launching a capital stream of the Skills Development Fund which will help build and upgrade training centres across the province.

Quick Facts

  • With the recent third round of funding, the government has increased its overall investment in the Skills Development Fund to over $700 million since the 2020 Ontario Budget.
  • Through its first two funding rounds since program launch in 2021, the Skills Development Fund supported 388 projects in Ontario aiming to create training and job opportunities for almost 400,000 people.
  • The Skills Development Fund capital stream is expected to launch in late spring 2023.
  • In January 2023, there were over 300,000 jobs vacant in Ontario.
  • The Skills Development Fund is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.  

Additional Resources