Ontario Allocates $2.8 Million to Worker Training Programs in Durham Region

The Ontario government announced in Pickering on August 14 that more than $2.8 million will be provided through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream for worker training in Durham Region and surrounding areas. According to the province, this funding is expected to help over 3,500 people prepare for employment in construction, manufacturing, and skilled trades.

The province reports that the funding is directed to five organizations in and near Durham Region, each offering programs targeting sectors affected by U.S. tariffs. According to Ontario officials, these organizations and amounts are:

• Drew Carpentry: receiving $806,426 to upskill and train individuals for entry-level framer positions in the homebuilding industry.
• D&R Custom Steel Inc.: receiving $613,000 for hands-on training programs for new employees in the manufacturing sector.
• Substance Cares: receiving $447,500 to provide training in construction and carpentry, job coaching, and inclusive job fairs for people with autism.
• Innovation Cluster — Peterborough and the Kawarthas: receiving $186,240 to provide tradespeople with training in business ownership skills.
• FIRST Robotics Canada: receiving $798,000 to deliver upskilling and skilled trades workshops for students and teachers at Durham College and partner colleges.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, since 2021 the SDF Training Stream and Capital Stream have delivered $1.5 billion in investments, helping train more than one million workers for in-demand careers. The province notes that the 2025 Ontario budget includes an additional $1 billion over three years for workforce programs, increasing the SDF’s total investment to $2.5 billion.

Ontario officials state that the SDF Training Stream has supported over 1,000 training projects and provided targeted assistance for more than 700,000 individuals in the province. The ministry further reports that rounds one through five of the SDF were funded by both federal and provincial governments, while the current sixth round is funded by Ontario alone.