$2.4 million Skills Development Fund investment among initiatives making it easier for veterans to transition to civilian life
The Ontario government is making it easier for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, their spouses and veterans to start careers in the skilled trades. The province is also investing $2.4 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to provide free training for CAF members and veterans in tech and cybersecurity careers. These initiatives are among a suite of proposals in the Honouring Veterans Act, 2024 that if passed, would honour all veterans who have served our country.
“From our consultations with soldiers, their spouses and veterans, we heard that their biggest challenges when returning home are finding careers that recognize their military skills and experience, without burdensome red tape and delays,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why our government has introduced the Honouring Veterans Act to formally recognize certain military trades with their civilian trades equivalent and help them start their civilian careers in the trades. We have a social contract with our servicemen and women who serve to protect us, and that means we have a responsibility to ensure they have a life to return to when their service is complete – our government is proud to uphold that social contract with this new bill.”
In response to the government’s recent consultations with CAF members, military spouses and veterans, the legislation proposes changes to accelerate credential recognition for veterans and military spouses who are regulated professionals from other provinces and relocating to Ontario. This would reduce the impact of frequent moves on military spouses. For example, a CAF member who was a material technician responsible for repairing and maintaining vehicles in the armed forces would have a clear path to have their credentials and experience recognized to work as a civilian welder.
The government is also proposing changes to formally recognize military trade credentials for their civilian trade equivalent. Under Skilled Trades Ontario’s (STO) credential recognition process, individuals holding certain military trade credentials can be approved to take the certifying exam to obtain their Certificate of Qualification in a corresponding civilian trade. CAF members, spouses and veterans would also be able to connect to employment services prior to moving to Ontario, to help secure careers locally in their communities.
Ontario is also building on Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) processes at publicly-assisted colleges and universities, to recognize the valuable learning experiences of Canada’s Armed Forces veterans. This will ensure they benefit from taking less time to complete their degrees or diplomas, and pay less tuition, while employers gain access to more highly skilled workers sooner. Veterans would be able to secure course credits for their prior experiences based on established criteria that align their previous learning with the skills and knowledge required by their program.
“By making it easier for veterans to earn credits for university and college programs in Ontario based on their past education, work experience and military training, we are creating a win-win for both veterans and employers,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Veterans are some of the sharpest and bravest members of our society — let’s help them get stable careers when they return from service and allow our economy to benefit from their immense talent.”
Additionally, Ontario is investing $2.4 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to provide free training for CAF members and veterans in tech and cybersecurity careers, including:
- Coding For Veterans: Over $1.9 million in Coding for Veterans, which will provide free online software development and cyber security upskilling for veterans and civilians for careers in Ontario’s tech industry, including software development, network security, and cybersecurity.
- Roland Gossage Foundation: Over $491,000 towards the Soldiers in Tech Project led by The Roland Gossage Foundation and training partner Lighthouse Labs, which will train veterans and their spouses for careers in tech with mentorship opportunities, as well as upskill active CAF members in fields such as cyber security, data analytics, data science and web development.
During Remembrance Week (November 5-11), the province is honouring veterans by working to expand provincial recognition, enhance community and financial supports and support career pathways for veterans and military families.
Quick Facts
- If passed, legislative changes would codify nine military trades with their civilian equivalent recognized by STO, including: Construction Technician, Cook, Electrical Distribution Technician, Electrical Technician, Material Technician, Marine Engineering Technician, Plumbing and Heating Technician, Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician and Vehicle Technical.
- There are over 149,000 Canadian Armed forces Veterans residing in Ontario.
- The province is exploring a partnership with Seamless Canada to identify new opportunities to support CAF members and veterans transitioning to civilian life.
- People interested in participating in the new training programs are encouraged to contact the The Roland Gossage Foundation and Coding for Veterans directly.
- On November 7, the Ontario government announced a $3 million investment over three years to Helmets to Hardhats Canada to help Canadian Armed Forces members transition to new careers in the construction sector.
- This announcement builds on the government’s changes to make job-protected leave for military reservists the most flexible and comprehensive in all of Canada.
- The province is investing up to $1.4 billion through SDF Training Stream.
- The Training Stream of SDF is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
- As the Government of Canada has unilaterally cut over $230 million annually from Ontario’s Labour Market Transfer Agreements, which supports employment and settlement service programs, Ontario continues to call for the federal government to reinstate this critical funding for Ontario workers and jobseekers.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
