Feds invest more than $125K in skilled trades equipment

As the shortage of skilled trades workers continues, the federal government is investing money to support carpentry apprentices in northern Ontario.

On Wednesday in the Greater Sudbury community of Azilda at the Carpenters Union Training Centre, Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré and Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe, announced more than $128,000 in funding for Carpenter’s Union Local 2486 to enhance job site efficiency and safety by enabling the purchase of essential equipment – including a telescopic forklift.

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“Skilled tradespeople are essential for Canada to build more homes and unlock the country’s full economic potential,” said federal officials in a news release.

“To help recruit, retain, and train more apprentices in skilled trades, the Government of Canada is making investments to attract more young people, women, and other equity-deserving groups to these rewarding and in-demand jobs.”

The $128,176 investment will help ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget and help Local 2486 equip trainees with the skills needed for success on the job.

Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe and Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré announced more than $128,000 in funding for Carpenter’s Union Local 2486 to enhance job site efficiency and safety by enabling the purchase of essential equipment on August 28, 2024. (Marc Serré/X)

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“The Sudbury Basin and surrounding area is a mineral-rich area that has become the epicenter of the EV industry. Our members are the carpenters that build and maintain the mines and processing plants that dot the landscape in which we live,” said union coordinator, Cameron Deering.

“It is important that we can showcase and train on current tools and equipment in order to attract today’s generation of carpenters and ensure that all of our members can stay up to date with the modern job site.”

Serré said the federal government has allocated more than $550,000 has been allocated in support of Local 2486 over the years.

“Underscoring the federal government’s commitment to building a workforce that is skilled, inclusive, certified, and productive.,” he said.

Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe and Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré at Carpenter’s Union Local 2486 training centre in the Greater Sudbury, Ont., community of Azilda on August 28, 2024. (Marc Serré/X)

Lapointe echoed Serré sentiments.

“Investing in our workers is essential for building a strong and sustainable future for Sudbury,” she said.

“By supporting the Carpenter’s Union Local 2486, we are not only empowering skilled workers, but also providing workers with the necessary resources to adapt to new opportunities.”

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This project is funded through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) Investments in Training Equipment Stream. UTIP is part of the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s response to the skilled trades workforce’s most pressing needs – including addressing barriers to successful entry, addressing the housing crisis and increasing net-zero construction.

Since 2022 under the Investments in Training Equipment Stream,114 projects were funded to help unions and training providers improve the quality of training through the purchase of equipment and materials that meet the latest industry standards or by investing in new technology.