Ontario Investing Over $5 Million to Protect Workers in Northumberland and Peterborough

August 15, 2025

Skills Development Fund investment will train over 2,900 youth and workers for in-demand jobs in the face of U.S. tariffs

PORT HOPE — The Ontario government is investing more than $5 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to help more than 2,900 youth, jobseekers and apprentices across Northumberland and Peterborough areas prepare for in-demand careers in construction, manufacturing, aviation and other skilled trades sectors. This is part of the government’s $2.5 billion investment in the SDF to protect Ontario workers by giving them the training and tools necessary to land in-demand jobs, while keeping Ontario competitive in the face of U.S. tariffs and policies.

“Our government is investing in local training projects that protect Ontario workers by giving them the skills they need to land rewarding, well-paying jobs,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “These projects will help workers explore and train for rewarding careers, while strengthening our economy as we face global economic challenges.”

Minister Piccini was joined by Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA NEO), which is receiving a $609,398 investment through the SDF Training Stream to deliver the Empowerment of Youth in Skilled Trades project. The initiative will promote careers in the skilled trades to 2,650 students through hands-on training, mentorship and paid placements for 40 students in high-demand sectors such as construction, manufacturing, motive power and aviation.

Through the SDF, the Ontario government is also partnering with three other organizations in the region to deliver free training programs that support youth, apprentices and underrepresented groups, including:

Northumberland Builders and Construction Association Inc. (NBACA) is receiving $230,240 to support 100 participants with onsite training through the purchase of a mobile training trailer. The trailer will be used to deliver compliance training and general construction training.
Nventure Business Development Corporation is receiving $562,000 to improve career suitability for 100 participants by developing Canada’s first Virtual Reality (VR) recruitment and retention tool for the manufacturing sector. This project is designed to better prepare them for the demands of the job.
OPCMIA Local 598 Training Centre is receiving $3,947,100 for their Restoring Ontario and Restoring Port Hope projects to support 60 apprentices in the Brick and Stone Mason and Cement Finisher trades, and train 36 pre-apprentices in the Restoration Mason trade to help complete a restoration project in downtown Port Hope.

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 and good-paying jobs 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 totalling $260 million. Interested organizations can visit the SDF Training Stream website.
The SDF Training Stream rounds 1–5 are supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. SDF Training Round 6 is supported exclusively by the Government of Ontario.