Queens Park has announced support for a program that helps those who have served Canada find jobs.
The Ontario government announced on Thursday that it is teaming up with Helmets to Hardhats Canada, investing $3-million over three years to help current and former members of the Canadian Armed Services train for jobs in construction.
"We owe our veterans, who have put their lives on the line in defence of our freedom, safety and values, a debt that we can never fully repay," said Premier Doug Ford. "Today's announcement is just one way our government is working to give back, so veterans can transition from the armed forces to rewarding careers in the skilled trades with the support and training they need."
Helmets to Hardhats Canada is a non-profit that works with the country's building trade unions on providing "second career" positions in construction for those who have served in the military.
"With around 8,000 Canadian Armed Forces members released from service every year, our government is proud to work with Helmets to Hardhats and unions to deliver job-ready training to veterans that leverages their expertise and experience, and lands them in a new career," said David Piccini, Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. "Because a career in construction is more than a paycheque, it offers a stable future and a community of workers who have your back."
The $3-million, three-year investment by the province will allow the organization to expand job-ready training for up to 650 active and former servicepeople, accelerating the time needed to find apprenticeships in construction by two or three months.
Helmets and Hardhats Canada is also supported by the province's Skilled Development Fund Training Stream.