Ontario Investing $10.9 Million to Strengthen the Health-Care Workforce

The Ontario government is supporting workers’ training and upskilling through the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream. Through an investment of more than $10.9 million across ten training projects, Ontario aims to help nearly 2,000 workers and jobseekers access training and prepare for rewarding, in-demand careers across Ontario’s health-care system. These projects will deliver specialized training, work placements, mentorship and career supports for nurses, personal support workers, medical laboratory technologists and other critical occupations that are needed to build a stronger workforce and ensure families have access to high-quality care when and where they need it.

“Protecting Ontario’s health-care system starts with ensuring we have the skilled workforce needed to deliver care when people need it most,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Through the Skills Development Fund, our government is creating more pathways into rewarding health-care careers while helping employers recruit the skilled professionals they need. Together, we’re increasing access to care, strengthening our workforce and building a healthier, more resilient Ontario for generations to come.”

Minister Piccini and Minister Quinn were joined by representatives from Scarborough Health Network (SHN), which is receiving $2,225,017 to train 110 people, including individuals from underrepresented and rural or remote communities, for careers as personal support workers, nurses and nurse practitioners. In partnership with Sir Sanford Fleming College, SHN will use an innovative Virtual Standardized Patient platform to provide hands-on learning, mentorship and accelerated training pathways that prepare participants for rewarding careers supporting patients in hospitals, long-term care in communities across Ontario.

“We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for this important investment in the future of our health-care workforce,” said David Graham, President and CEO of Scarborough Health Network. “Through the Skills Development Fund, the province is helping remove financial and practical barriers for learners while supporting innovative training that better prepares people for careers in health care. In partnership with Fleming College, Scarborough Health Network is proud to help build a stronger, more skilled workforce that can meet the needs of patients and communities across Ontario.”

Through SDF Training Stream Round 6, the Ontario government is also partnering with nine additional organizations to deliver training opportunities in communities across Ontario. Together, these projects will prepare more workers for in-demand health-care careers, ensuring employers have access to the skilled professionals needed to protect access to care today and for years to come.

“Since taking office, our government has taken historic action to strengthen Ontario’s health-care workforce, including adding 100,000 new nurses and 20,000 new physicians,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Today’s investment will ensure that thousands of future health-care workers, including nurses, personal support workers and medical laboratory technologists, receive an exceptional education and valuable hands-on experience.”

The new SDF Training Stream Round 6 projects have been evaluated, selected and will be delivered through a strengthened program that aligns with recommendations from the Auditor General’s 2025 program review. These enhancements include:

• Tracking longer-term employment outcomes at three, six and 12 months to better measure success and improve program monitoring.
• Increasing transparency by requiring applications to disclose the use of registered lobbyists and consultants, with information verified against Ontario’s Lobbyists Registry.
• Strengthening project selection through a more rigorous project screening, risk assessment and evaluation process.

Above and beyond the Auditor General’s recommendations, the ministry also implemented new tools for risk management and due diligence, including analyzing individuals associated with applications, in addition to the organization.

The enhanced SDF Training Stream Round 6 is part of the government’s plan to Protect Ontario by ensuring workers are prepared with the skills needed for in-demand careers. By investing in training and upskilling projects, the government is helping protect Ontario workers and communities by building the skilled workforce needed to stronger, more resilient communities.

“Access to incredible care starts with access to world-class training and education,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Through this investment, our government is equipping more future nurses, personal support workers and other health-care providers with the hands-on skills they need to care for our communities and protect Ontario.”

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