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Ontario Investing Over $13 Million to Protect and Train Workers in Sudbury

August 8, 2025

Skills Development Fund investments will train over 1,000 workers in Sudbury and surrounding areas for in-demand jobs in the face of U.S. tariffs

August 08, 2025

Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

Table of Contents

  1. Content
  2. Quick Facts
  3. Quotes
  4. Additional Resources
  5. Related Topics

SUDBURY — The Ontario government is investing over $13 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training and Capital Streams to help over 1,000 workers and jobseekers in Sudbury and surrounding areas prepare for in-demand jobs in boilermaking, welding, mining and ironworking sectors. This brings Ontario’s total SDF investment in Northern Ontario close to $146 million and is part of the government’s $2.5 billion investment through the SDF to protect Ontario workers by giving them the tools they need to land rewarding, good-paying jobs, while keeping Ontario competitive in the face of U.S. tariffs.

“To compete globally and secure our future, we must ensure Northern Ontario is ready to deliver the critical minerals and energy the world relies on,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “As we face global economic uncertainty, we’re doubling down on local training projects that give Northern workers the skills they need to seize new opportunities at home, while building the made-in-Ontario workforce that will power our economy, strengthen our supply chains and drive nation-building infrastructure across Canada.”

Minister Piccini was joined by members of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 128 in Sudbury, which is receiving $5,735,262 through the Skills Development Fund Training and Capital Streams to purchase new equipment for their Burlington-based training centre and build a new training facility in Sudbury. This will double the union’s capacity to help more than 660 new apprentices and journeypersons train for in-demand jobs in the energy and construction sectors. Workers will receive several safety certifications, with training focused on telehandlers and elevated work platforms, to help them prepare for better jobs with bigger paycheques.

Through the SDF, the Ontario government is also partnering with four other organizations in the region to deliver free training programs in sectors affected by U.S. tariffs and policies:

  • Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is receiving $5,000,000 to deliver on-the-job training and employment for participants in critical mining occupations across Northern Ontario.
  • UBC Millwrights Local 1425 is receiving $1,070,321 to expand mobile welding training for participants in Sudbury, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie.
  • Ironworkers Local 786 is receiving $890,587 to upgrade training equipment and expand programming for ironworkers in Sudbury.
  • Northern Centre for Advanced Technology Inc. (NORCAT) is receiving $580,000 to develop and deploy virtual reality (VR) training modules for mining, construction, and forestry workers.

Since its launch in 2021, through the SDF Training Stream and Capital Stream, Ontario has invested $1.5 billion to help train more than one million workers for in-demand careers and good-paying job in sectors like the skilled trades. As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the Ontario government is investing an additional $1 billion through the Skills Development Fund over the next three years, bringing the total to $2.5 billion, to support key industrial sectors and help train even more workers.

Quick Facts

  • People interested in participating in the programs announced today are encouraged to contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.
  • On July 29, the Ontario government launched a new call for project proposals for the Skills Development Fund Training Stream totaling $260 million. Interested organizations can visit the SDF Training Stream website.
  • The Skills Development Fund Training Stream Rounds 1-5 are supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Skills Development Fund Training Round 6 and Capital Stream are supported exclusively by the Government of Ontario.

Quotes

“Northern Ontario not only has the resources, but it has the talent and grit our province is looking for during this time of economic uncertainty. As we unlock our made-in-Ontario advantage, we’re equipping workers in mining, energy, and the skilled trades with the tools they need to earn bigger paycheques, strengthen our communities, and keep our province competitive.”

– Chris Scott
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and Mines

“Our government remains committed to strengthening and protecting Northern Ontario. Through this Skills Development Fund investment, we are focused on enhancing training opportunities for skilled trades workers and ensuring their talent stays right here in the North.”

– George Pirie
Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth

“Our government is protecting northern workers in Ontario’s resources sectors by helping them get the training and skills needed to keep our province strong and competitive. As we face global economic uncertainty, our government will continue to protect Ontario workers and their jobs in the natural resource sectors that have helped build this province.”

– Mike Harris
Minister of Natural Resources

“To protect Ontario’s future and stay competitive, our government is investing in people, because building our workforce builds the economy. Through the Skills Development Fund, we’re equipping workers in Sudbury and beyond with the tools to lead in mining, energy and construction. Meanwhile, our One Project, One Process initiative is speeding up the critical mineral projects they’ll help build. Together, these efforts ensure we have the workforce and the momentum to deliver. In an era of global uncertainty and trade barriers, Ontario must control its own destiny. With partners like Agnico Eagle, we’re building good jobs, self-reliance and a workforce ready to lead in the industries of the future.”

– Stephen Lecce
Minister of Energy and Mines

“Algoma-Manitoulin welcomes this Skills Development Fund investment as an important step forward in protecting our province. Investments like these are crucial for building a stronger northern workforce and ensuring our communities have access to the training and opportunities they need to thrive.”

– Bill Rosenberg
MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin

“The strength and talent that exists within Greater Sudbury’s workforce is what allows our industries to thrive, grow, and compete on a global scale. This investment from the province will build on that foundation, helping more than 1,000 people in our region access the training they need to access incredibly well-paying jobs in high-demand sectors. Thank you to Minister Piccini and the Government of Ontario for recognizing the potential of our community and our ability to help lead Ontario’s critical minerals supply chain and drive the clean economy of the future.”

– Paul Lefebvre
Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury

“Today’s announcement is evidence of the strong relationships that have been built between our union and the Ontario government. Throughout Northern Ontario and across the province, we need to meet the demand for boilermakers with increased training capacity, and we welcome this funding to help us get it done. With this new training centre, we can continue serving our community and training our workers for rewarding careers as boilermakers, right here in the North. This is an investment in those who are seeking a career that promises to challenge beyond all reasonable expectation and compensates equally so.”

– Stirling Munn
Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer, Boilermakers Local 128

“This project represents a strategic investment in the future of Ontario’s mining workforce. Through the Skills Development Fund, we’re equipping hundreds of participants annually with the technical skills and hands-on experience needed to succeed in the mining industry, today and in the future. By combining innovative training methods with real-world application, we’re helping to address critical labour shortages and build a more resilient, productive workforce across Northern Ontario.”

– Andre Leite
Vice President, Ontario, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

“Millwright Local 1425 has a very large geographical area. Having a new mobile welding training unit will allow more accessibility for training and more exposure to help fulfill the strong demand for new apprentices to join the building trades. This wouldn’t be possible without the opportunities made available through the SDF funding.”

– Adam Buttazzoni
Business Representative, UBC Millwrights Local 1425

“This investment in the skills and safety of Ironworkers at Local 786 is not just about training — it’s about securing the future of our trade in Northeastern Ontario. With growing uncertainty from U.S. tariffs, it’s more important than ever to ensure our members are equipped with the hands-on expertise needed to compete, contribute, and build safely alongside the other trades. This support strengthens our workforce, our communities, and our ability to keep critical infrastructure projects local.”

– Cory Burke
Business Manager/FST, Ironworkers Local 786

“This additional support from the Skills Development Fund reinforces the importance of strategically investing in Ontario’s skills training to better prepare Ontario’s workforce for the challenges of tomorrow. At NORCAT, we’re proud to leverage our unique blended learning model to increase learner confidence and better equip trainees for a fulfilling, safe career in their respective industry.”

– Don Duval
CEO, NORCAT

Additional Resources