The Ontario government is investing $2.5 million dollars to four free job-training projects across London and southwestern Ontario.
The announcement was made Thursday by Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development Monte McNaughton.
"[Investment into these] programs will prioritize workers usually shut out of the job market," McNaughton said.
"Research has shown that more than two-thirds of people over the age of 55 feel the job market is closed to them, while the youth in Ontario are unemployed at a rate twice as high as the provincial average, all while more than 17,000 jobs are going unfilled in the London area," a release provided by the Ministry of Labour read.
The four programs receiving the funds include Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), Over 55 London, Pathways Employment Help Centre, and WePrep inc.
YOU will receive $502,328 which is intended to help youths learn skills related to the construction industry.
The Over 55 London project will get $594,732 to help mature unemployed or underemployed people find jobs or entrepreneurial opportunities.
The Pathways Employment Help Centre will receive $647,062 for their project, which will prepare people facing barriers to employment to train for and connect to jobs in the manufacturing and construction trades.
WePrep Inc. will get $760,000 to provide financial literacy training for 200 apprentices and pre-apprentices, and 2,300 high school students interested in the skilled trades.
Part of the funds will go directly to participants in the programs, providing equipment like work boots and tools, and support with living expenses, childcare, transportation, and mental health resources.
Participants will be able to explore a range of employment and training options.
One trainee already in the YOU program, Jordan Arsenault, said that the job-training has already changed his life in a significant way.
"The future I now see is all because of this program, the staff and how this training has opened me to many new skills in the trade," said Arsenault.
He added that he now hopes he can give back to his community in a positive way.
