The province of Ontario revealed $2 million in funding programs to prepare Indigenous people for jobs in the skilled trades in order to address the apparent skilled trades shortage in the Thunder Bay area.

The province invested $500,000 in two pre-apprenticeship training programs for 35 Indigenous people. This investment will permit Indigenous people begin a career in trades such as carpentry, welding, drywall, acoustic and lathing application after completing their apprenticeship.

Also, Ontario invested $250,000 for Anishinabek Employment and Training Services Centre (AETS) through the Indigenous Economic Development Fund. This investment will train people for apprenticeship openings in the construction and carpentry industries. This program comprises job readiness training, level one construction/carpentry training and an eight-week placement.

John DeGiacomo, Executive Director of AETS stated "These apprenticeship training opportunities along with our partnerships, will provide First Nation citizens with the stepping stones to build skills and gain knowledge needed to realize their career goals."

Over the coming three years Ontario will also invest $1.5 million through SkillsAdvance Ontario. The aim of this investment is to train and provide new skills to 172 new and current Indigenous employees in heavy equipment operation, mechanical harvesting, AZ truck driving, tower assembly and construction.

The goal of these investments is to help business and job seekers in the area. Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development said "When you tailor a training curriculum around the needs of local employers and offer effective employment supports for the participating trainees, you can achieve outcomes that make a difference."

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