Ontario Investing in Electrical Training Programs Across Ontario

The Ontario government is investing more than $13 million in nine projects that will help apprentices and journeypersons qualify for in-demand jobs, earn bigger paycheques and help employers find the skilled workers they need to maintain and grow their businesses.

This is part of Ontario’s over $200 million Skills Development Fund which supports fresh ideas for training and skills development will help build a stronger province.

Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust Fund

The Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust Fund is receiving $6,447,553 for two projects aimed at increasing apprenticeship registrations for the network cabling specialist (631A) apprenticeship program, and to encourage more employers to hire apprentices and promote the electrical trades to underrepresented populations.

The training includes preparation work to get a Trade Equivalency Assessment for Construction and Maintenance Electrician journeypersons. The classroom work also covers the need for cabling in the construction industry.

Since the first phase of the project started last year, 195 tradespeople and 33 employers have participated and benefited from the training.

National Electrical Trade Council

The National Electrical Trade Council is receiving a total of $4,191,322 for two projects to help the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) upskill 1,050 electricians across the province.

The first project provides access to electric vehicle charging stations for certified electricians (309A) and late term apprentices at all IBEW training centres across Ontario.

The second project will allow IBEW training centres to deliver virtual reality training to electrical apprentices and journeypersons and is set to begin in the Spring 2022. The virtual training will immerse apprentices and journeypersons in a realistic training setting, where they will learn Hoisting and Rigging Training, along with Virtual Electrical Training (for early-term apprentices).

More information is available at https://netco.org/.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local Union 1687)

IBEW Local Union 1687 in Sudbury is receiving $467,500 to provide online skills training to 625 registered apprentices in remote Northern regions, including First Nations communities. The online training will help to address barriers that can prevent people in northern communities from pursuing electrical training by making it free of charge and easily accessible from any location in the province.

Participants in the program will receive free online training covering topics like safety, hands-on skills, leadership, business skills and diversity training. Eligible trades include Electrician, Construction and Maintenance 309A, Powerline Technician 434A, and Network Cabling Specialist 631A.

Training started in February 2022 and is ongoing. For more information, contact Travis Merrett at 705-206-7784 or Travis@ibew1687.org.

IBEW Local 105

The government is providing $303,015 to the IBEW Local 105 in Hamilton to train 40 electricians through the Welding Recruitment and Retention Program.

Participants will spend 12 weeks in training to become competent welders, including the ability to pass a CWB 4 position welding certificate. Training will increase participants skill sets from 309A electrical license into a dual ticketed 309A Electrician/SMAW welder. Training will also include in-field placements on welder projects.

The program is open to current IBEW local 105 journeypersons who would like to obtain their 4 position CWB certificate.

To apply, contact Theo Davis, Training Director, at tdavis@ibewlu105.com.

IBEW Local 120

The IBEW Local 120 in London is receiving $1,186,356 to train 150 people in the electrical trades in the Chippewas of the Thames and Munsee-Delaware First Nations.

Training will start in April 2022, and include a phased approach to learning, starting with basic workplace knowledge and skills, then progressing to an overview of skilled trades and general construction work, and the specific skill sets and certifications needed to find jobs in the electrical skilled trades.

Participants will receive a stipend of $120 per day to address financial barriers during training, and transportation supports will also be provided. 25 participants will be hired through general workforce demand and participating organization’s professional networks (no standard wage is identified). The agreement holder does not indicate funding for employers that hire workers.

For more information or to apply, contact John Gibson at 519-652-2929.

IBEW Local 120 is also receiving $421,923 for a project that will provide advanced training and continuing education to 260 registered apprentices or journeypersons on emerging technologies in the Electrical trade.

The project includes advanced training to help apprentices overcome barriers, make them more employable, and job-site ready. Journeypersons will receive continued education and training on cultural diversity, mental health and the latest technologies in the industry, such as Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Battery & Retention, Solar Energy, and much more.

Training started last spring and ends March 2022 and is available to apprentice and journeyperson members of IBEW Local 120.

IIBEW Local Union 402

IBEW Local Union 402’s Training and Education Centre in Thunder Bay received $230,213 to provide free training and paid work placements to underrepresented groups to address the skills shortage in the electrical industry.

Twelve participants received sixteen weeks of free training and job placements through the program, which ran from June 2021 to March 2022. Job placements included Construction and Maintenance Electrician. As part of the training, each participant received one-on-one supervision and dedicated mentorship by a journeyperson.