Ontario Investing Over $13 Million to Protect and Train Workers in Sudbury

August 8, 2025

Skills Development Fund investments will train over 1,000 workers in Sudbury and surrounding areas for in-demand jobs in the face of U.S. tariffs

SUDBURY — The Ontario government is investing over $13 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training and Capital Streams to help over 1,000 workers and jobseekers in Sudbury and surrounding areas prepare for in-demand jobs in boilermaking, welding, mining and ironworking sectors. This brings Ontario’s total SDF investment in Northern Ontario close to $146 million and is part of the government’s $2.5 billion investment through the SDF to protect Ontario workers by giving them the tools they need to land rewarding, good-paying jobs, while keeping Ontario competitive in the face of U.S. tariffs.

“To compete globally and secure our future, we must ensure Northern Ontario is ready to deliver the critical minerals and energy the world relies on,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “As we face global economic uncertainty, we’re doubling down on local training projects that give Northern workers the skills they need to seize new opportunities at home, while building the made-in-Ontario workforce that will power our economy, strengthen our supply chains and drive nation-building infrastructure across Canada.”

Minister Piccini was joined by members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 128 in Sudbury, which is receiving $5,735,262 through the Skills Development Fund Training and Capital Streams to purchase new equipment for their Burlington-based training centre and build a new training facility in Sudbury. This will double the union’s capacity to help more than 660 new apprentices and journeypersons train for in-demand jobs in the energy and construction sectors. Workers will receive several safety certifications, with training focused on telehandlers and elevated work platforms, to help them prepare for better jobs with bigger paycheques.

Through the SDF, the Ontario government is also partnering with four other organizations in the region to deliver free training programs in sectors affected by U.S. tariffs and policies:

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is receiving $5,000,000 to deliver on-the-job training and employment for participants in critical mining occupations across Northern Ontario.
UBC Millwrights Local 1425 is receiving $1,070,321 to expand mobile welding training for participants in Sudbury, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie.
Ironworkers Local 786 is receiving $890,587 to upgrade training equipment and expand programming for ironworkers in Sudbury.
Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. (NORCAT) is receiving $580,000 to develop and deploy virtual reality (VR) training modules for mining, construction, and forestry workers.

Since its launch in 2021, through the SDF Training Stream and Capital Stream, Ontario has invested $1.5 billion to help train more than one million workers for in-demand careers and good-paying job in sectors like the skilled trades. As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the Ontario government is investing an additional $1 billion through the Skills Development Fund over the next three years, bringing the total to $2.5 billion, to support key industrial sectors and help train even more workers.

Quick Facts

People interested in participating in the programs announced today are encouraged to contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.
On July 29, the Ontario government launched a new call for project proposals for the Skills Development Fund Training Stream totaling $260 million. Interested organizations can visit the SDF Training Stream website.
The Skills Development Fund Training Stream Rounds 1-5 are supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Skills Development Fund Training Round 6 and Capital Stream are supported exclusively by the Government of Ontario.