The federal government is pledging another $2 billion to help train more trades workers.
The money is being added to Team Canada Strong’s $6 billion budget, bringing the total to $8 billion. Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu made the announcement in Halifax on July 16.
The funding is meant to help recruit, train and hire 80,000 to 100,000 Red Seal trades workers in the next five years.
According to a press release from the federal government, the money will be invested through bi-lateral agreements with the provinces and territories. Those funding agreements are expected to be in place by 2027.
“As the world of work evolves, nobody will be left behind. By collaborating with provinces and territories to remove barriers to skilled trades, we are equipping workers with the tools needed to succeed,” said Minister Hajdu. “Access to rewarding, well-paying jobs will build a strong, confident workforce where workers can navigate global uncertainty and build lasting economic strength.”
During a press conference after the announcement, Hajdu said many generations of workers, including people in her own generation, were discouraged from going into trades work, and that the government needs to provide support for educators and students looking to go into skilled trades.
“Listen, if someone puts their hand up to want to go to school, to want to be able to take training, to want to enter the skilled trades, it can’t be the capacity of the trainers that’s the limiting factor,” said Hajdu.
The federal government estimates that Canada will need more than 1.4 million new trades workers to build homes, expand transit and develop energy infrastructure across the country.
