The provincial government is investing more than $215,000 to train youth in Chatham-Kent for careers in construction.
The free three-week introductory course will start in June and will teach 75 young people how to use hand and power tools, as well as safety, and woodworking design. Students will also get paid while they train and receive a tool belt valued at $150.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said the number one issue with local employers is finding qualified people to fill vacancies.
Once the training is complete, participants have the option to work as a sub-contractor handyperson for Ambition Trailer, a social enterprise in Chatham-Kent. Trainees can also connect with local partners who will work with them to map out the next steps in their careers.
Trades Youth Mentor for the Prosperity Roundtable William Laurie is excited about the new program and said it's a game-changer when it comes to opportunities to replace retired workers and fill job gaps.
"University is important, college is important, and skilled trades is important, it's all-important, but we recognize that we have a need here in Chatham-Kent and we're just providing this opportunity to do that," said Laurie.
Labour Minister and MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Monte McNaughton said in Chatham-Kent alone, there were 2,000 skills trades listings in the last six months.
"It's projects like this that will unleash the ambition of young people right here in our community and with the opportunity to earn on average $32 an hour as a carpenter, we're opening doors to a much better life," said McNaughton.
Minister McNaughton said Aarkel Tool and Die in Wallaceburg has already stepped up to say it'll look at hiring the young workers when they're done training.
The program was conceived in Chatham-Kent and it took about nine months to develop. It is in partnership with Family Services Kent and the Prosperity Roundtable and will be open to young people between the ages of 15 and 29.
To apply, contact Phillip Mock at pmock@familyservicekent.com or 519 365-4042.
According to the BuildForce Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward, Ontario, 2022-2027 report, the construction industry in Ontario will need to hire about 72,000 workers to replace retiring workers and keep pace with construction employment demands over the next six years.
