Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has announced more than $4 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to upgrade the SMART Local 47 training centre for sheet metal workers in Ottawa.
Funding will enable the centre to expand its training curriculum to include French-language materials, aiming to train over 500 additional workers in the next five years. With this initiative, the Gloucester training centre becomes the first in Ontario to offer sheet metal worker training in French.
“With one in three tradespeople nearing retirement, we must transfer the skills and expertise from the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of students,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “That’s why we’re partnering with SMART 47 to expand and enhance their training facility here in Ottawa to train the next generation of workers who will leverage the wisdom of experienced tradespeople to build Ontario’s bright future.
“This includes providing Ontario’s first French-language training program for sheet metal working to enable more Francophone Ontarians to receive training in their native tongue – because a career in the skilled trades is for everyone.”
The funding breakdown includes $4 million through the SDF Capital Stream for the expansion of the training centre and $54,000 to develop a French-language curriculum aimed at increasing the appeal and completion rates for Francophone apprentices.
“This will enable SMART Local 47 to build a new expansion for our training facility, so that we can train more than 500 additional sheet metal workers and roofers and meet growing employer demand,” said Stuart Simpson, training director, SMART Local 47. “This investment will also help us deliver Ontario’s first French-language roofing and sheet metal working program, so we can bring more Francophone men and women into the skilled trades.
“Through our continued collaboration with the provincial government, we are growing our workforce and delivering innovative training for the next generation of workers.”
This investment is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to address the looming shortage of skilled workers, with an estimated 500,000 new trades-related workers needed in the next decade. The SDF is structured to support facility upgrades and construction that enhance training capabilities across various key industries.
The government is currently accepting applications for the fifth round of the SDF Training Stream, which offers up to $260 million in funding. Since its inception in 2021, the SDF has supported nearly 600,000 workers in training for in-demand sectors, including construction, manufacturing and health care.
