Pre-apprenticeship training opportunities available through Employment Ontario
Ontario government press release ...
McGuinty Government Helping People Access Apprenticeship - Pre-Apprenticeship Training Opens Doors To The Skilled Trades
OAKVILLE, ON, Nov. 27 - The McGuinty government is creating close to 800 pre-apprenticeship spaces across Ontario to help people qualify for skilled trades training, Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.
"Our government knows that many Ontarians need help to access opportunity," Bentley said. "Pre-apprenticeships open doors for people who want to learn a skilled trade, providing them with skills that can lead to a well-paying, fulfilling career."
Pre-apprenticeship training helps people develop the technical, academic and employment skills they need to succeed in an apprenticeship for a skilled trade. Pre-apprenticeship projects, which include a minimum eight-week work placement, can run for up to 40 weeks.
This year, Ontario is investing more than $7.6 million in 37 new projects that will prepare people who want to become apprentices for training in specific skilled trades. Included are projects for youth, Aboriginal peoples, women and groups traditionally under-represented in apprenticeship programs.
Bentley was joined for today's announcement by Kevin Flynn, MPP Oakville, at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning where 25 early high-school leavers will receive pre-apprenticeship training in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright trade. The government will provide Sheridan with $257,000 for the project, offered in partnership with the Halton Industry Council, Job Connect and the Peel Halton Dufferin Training Board.
"I am extremely pleased that additional resources are being made available to Sheridan College here in Oakville," said Flynn. "Pre-apprenticeship programs create real opportunities for individuals, and ensure we will have a labour force able to meet the growing demand for skilled workers."
The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program is helping the government meet its commitment to raise the number of annual apprenticeship registrations to 26,000 in 2007-08.
"Through increased investment from the province, as well as innovative partnerships at the local community level, Sheridan will continue to fulfill our role as an economic development catalyst," said Dr. Robert Turner, Sheridan President and CEO.
Pre-apprenticeship training can be accessed through Employment Ontario, Ontario's training and employment network. Employment Ontario provides integrated training, apprenticeship and labour market services, bringing together about 470 service providers in almost 900 locations funded by the Ontario government.
Information about Employment Ontario services in communities across the province are available online at www.ontario.ca/employmentontario, or by calling 1-800-387-5656.
The government is also working on other initiatives to provide opportunities for Ontarians, including:
- Investing $6.2 billion more in postsecondary education and training by 2009-10 - the most significant multi-year investment in Ontario's higher education system in 40 years
- Investing approximately $100 million annually in Employment Ontario's apprenticeship related programs
- Investing $127 million this year in Employment Ontario's Job Connect services to link employers with both youth and adults, including three new centres with a special focus on helping newcomers.
"By providing more people with a chance to develop the skills needed in today's economy, everyone in Ontario benefits," said Bentley. "Through pre-apprenticeship training, we're helping people take another step toward reaching their potential."
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Backgrounder
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THE PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAM
Pre-apprenticeship helps people who want a career in a specific skilled trade by providing the technical training necessary to enter an apprenticeship in that trade. Pre-apprenticeship programs can last up to 40 weeks and include an eight-week work placement to give each participant real work experience.
Many projects offer participants the opportunity to upgrade their academic skills to meet the academic requirements for the trade in which they are training. Participation in the program is free.
This year, the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program will provide opportunities for 773 people to strengthen their skills and become eligible for an apprenticeship in a specific skilled trade. The government is investing more than $7.6 million in the program to support 37 projects in 19 trades.
The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program is part of Employment Ontario, the province's integrated training and employment network. Employment Ontario provides seamless, coordinated training, apprenticeship and labour market services, bringing together about 470 service providers in almost 900 locations funded by the government of Ontario.
People interested in participating in the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program should call the Employment Ontario Hotline at 1-800-387-5656, or 416-326-5656 in the Toronto area, for details about individual projects.
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Skilled trade Funding Amount for 2006-07
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Automotive Service Technician $801,936
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Brick and Stone Mason $164,235
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Construction and Maintenance Electrician $472,743
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Construction Craft Worker $290,874
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Cook - Assistant Branch 1 $1,002,960
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Cook - Branch 2 $467,559
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Early Childhood Educator $165,969
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General Carpenter $1,230,614
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General Machinist/Industrial Mechanic Millwright $170,730
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Glazier/Metal Mechanic $431,562
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Hairstylist $201,413
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Heavy Equipment Operator $157,959
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Horticultural Technician $150,000
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Industrial Mechanic Millwright $257,000
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Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic $233,983
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Truck and Coach Technician $1,035,458
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Welder $145,347
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Welder and Metal Fabricator $248,816
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TOTAL $7,629,158
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www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca
For further information: Sheamus Murphy, Minister's Office, (416) 325-7215; Tanya Blazina, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2746; Public Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892