Federal government investing to support skilled tradespeople in Quebec
June 3, 2024 | By MRO Staff
The Government of Canada is providing $39.4 million over five years, beginning in 2023-24, to the Government of Quebec through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Union Training and Innovation Program.
Through this joint investment, organizations in Quebec including professional and technical training institutions, Indigenous and not-for-profit organizations, and private sector employer groups will be able to benefit from funding to support investments in modern and up-to-date training equipment and materials.
The funding will also support innovation and enhanced partnerships to help improve apprenticeship outcomes.
Between 2,000 and 5,000 Red Seal apprentices, including individuals from under-represented groups, are expected to benefit from this funding each year in Quebec.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault also highlighted investments totalling over $3.5 million to two unions for projects under the Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative, helping women in Quebec get the apprenticeship training and support they need to enter the skilled trades workforce.
The first is a $940,000 investment to the Centrale des syndicats démocratiques with an aim to reduce barriers and increase access to Red Seal Trades in Quebec by supporting learning activities such as information workshops across schools and facilitating mentoring collaborations.
The government also provided a $2.5 million investment to the Syndicat québécois de la construction to help them partner with recruiting firms to hire women apprentices, provide career development training and wraparound supports to encourage retention and create a welcoming space to help women feel safe.
