Support Ontario Youth Welcomes Several Initiatives in the Ontario Budget

The newly announced program would support business participation in sponsoring apprentices in 2020-21 by investing $20-million to encourage small and medium sized contractors to come together and provide the necessary resources for a full scope of training and on-the-job mentorship for registered Ontario apprentices.

“Investing $4.7 million in the next fiscal year to develop a new user-friendly digital portal that will support the skilled trades and apprenticeship system in Ontario will be a valuable aid,” said Mo Awan, Board Chair. “

Investing a total of $10 million over the upcoming years will be invaluable to Ontario’s apprentice participants. Most notably, launching the new non-repayable tools grants which helps provide apprentices between $400-$1000. Adding to this the government’s investment of $5.8 million into a grant for apprentice learning to support apprentices while they are attending in-class training, and lastly but not completely the announced investment of $24 million in the apprentice development benefit to help supplement EI benefits for eligible apprentices attending full-time training which includes a boost of $8 million.

Soy was equally pleased to see that the Ford Government will be establishing a new Skills Development Fund, which will provide $30 million, over two years beginning in 2020–21 to support a blend of operational and capital enhancements for non-college training providers, businesses and associations that train apprentices and investing $21 million in 2020–21 in a new Achievement Incentive Grant to encourage small- to medium-sized employers to train apprentices towards program completion and trade certification.

Awan added, “These investments are critical if we are to develop a modern and effective apprenticeship system in Ontario that addresses the needs of all participants.”

Credit: 2020 Ontario Budget - https://budget.ontario.ca/2020/chapter-1c.html#s-7 

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About the Support Ontario Youth – Support Ontario Youth (SOY) is a registered charity established in 2016. Over the past couple of years, SOY has worked closely with employers, apprentices and industry stakeholders to provide support in streamlining the apprenticeship pathway in Ontario. SOY’s mandate is to advocate for the apprentice and help support them in their journey to becoming a fully licensed journeyperson.

Media Contact

Huong Nguyen – Operations Manager, Support Ontario Youth huong.nguyen@supportontarioyouth.ca | Office: 647-693-8939