A training centre for carpenters in Windsor-Essex is one of four existing ones across Ontario to receive provincial funding.
The provincial government announced on Friday a $27-million funding commitment to train up to 2,600 new carpenters across Ontario.
It will come in two streams, and one will involve the expansion of training centres, including one in Windsor.
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA) Local 494 will receive $1.8-million to build a two-story addition to its training centre in Tecumseh. It will consist of new shop and office space, plus 5,612 square feet of training space.
Premier Doug Ford called the investment another weapon in the response to threatened tariffs by the Trump administration.
"In the face of tariff threats to Ontario workers and jobs, it’s more important than ever that we keep investing in our workers, so they have the skills and training they need to succeed," said Ford.
Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini added that the expansion will encourage more people to enter the trades.
"By investing in carpenter training, we are helping to train the next generation of workers, including women and young people, to build Ontario’s bright future," said Piccini. "Workers can benefit from the wisdom of experienced tradespeople, gain the necessary skills for lifelong careers in the construction trades, and unlock their potential."
Expansion of training centres in Cambridge, London, and Ottawa will also be supported in the first stream of funding, along with the creation of a new facility in Sudbury.
The second stream of funding will include $14-million for UBCJA’s Carpenters' Regional Council Workforce Development Program to include other industries, such as manufacturing and healthcare.
