The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million through its Skills Development Fund to help 100 experienced construction workers train the next generation in modern building practices and emerging technologies.
The funding, announced Thursday at Panel-It, a St. Thomas-based division of Doug Tarry Homes, will support the Ontario Home Builders’ Association-led Futures Faster program. Experienced workers will be trained as mentors in areas such as building code changes and new technologies before being paired with recent graduates and workers at risk of displacement.
“We are facing unprecedented economic times, and Ontario needs highly skilled workers that can deliver on our historic $200 billion infrastructure plan to build more homes and other critical infrastructure over the next decade,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “With this investment, we are making sure more home builders have the skills to help open doors to good-paying jobs building more housing in our communities, keeping the dream of home ownership alive for families across the province.”
Parliamentary assistant Mohamed Firin said mentorship will help strengthen the sector. “Ontario’s skilled trades are the backbone of our economy and mentorship is key to helping the next generation succeed,” he said. “By training experienced workers to become mentors, we’re strengthening Ontario’s workforce and creating new pathways for jobseekers to gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive.”
Mentors and mentees will be able to complete up to two credentials in high-demand areas, including resilient construction, radon mitigation practices and Ontario’s new 18-storey mass timber regulations. Officials said this will create pathways for advancement while building expertise across the sector.
Rob Flack, minister of municipal affairs and housing, said the investment shows the province’s commitment to supporting housing targets while keeping construction workers on the job. “Through our government’s Skills Development Fund, we’re training the next generation of construction workers to protect the dream of homeownership for families here in St. Thomas and across Ontario,” he said.
Kinga Surma, minister of infrastructure, added that the initiative aligns with the province’s broader economic plans. “Our government’s latest round of investments to hire, train, and upskill workers is critical as we lead an unprecedented wave of construction across Ontario,” she said.
Since 2021, Ontario has invested $1.5 billion through the Skills Development Fund, which the government says has trained more than one million workers. With another $1 billion pledged in the 2025 budget, the program’s total funding now stands at $2.5 billion.
