The City of Barrie is providing a funding boost of $250,000 to Community Builders’ Trades and Diversity Program.
The program provides paid skilled trades training over an intensive 3-month period to individuals experiencing employment challenges.
The program is also supported by a $250,000 social impact grant from Meridian Credit Union’s Reframe Program, which launched the partnership between Meridian and Community Builders.
On March 14, 2024, the Federal Government provided the City of Barrie with $25.6 million under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to eliminate barriers to building the housing. On October 2, 2024, Barrie City Council approved a motion to direct $250,000 from the Housing Accelerator Fund for this Community Builders program in support of accelerating affordable housing.
"This initiative, made even stronger through the partnership with Meridian Credit Union, highlights what we can achieve when we work together for a common cause,” shared Mayor Alex Nuttall.
“This contribution from the Housing Accelerator Fund to Community Builders’ Trades and Diversity Program not only addresses the shortage of skilled tradespeople but also equips individuals with the skills they need to succeed in these fields. These programs are truly 'building' stronger communities and laying the foundation for a brighter future for our residents.”
“Through the Housing Accelerator Fund we are working closely with communities to change how home are built in this country. This partnership with Community Builders’ will not only help people get jobs in the skilled trades but also help Barrie get more homes built for residents at prices they can afford,” said the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
“At Meridian, being a good corporate citizen is at the heart of our business—it’s been an integral part of who we are for more than 75 years,” said Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO Meridian Credit Union.
“As Ontario’s largest credit union, our communities define us. Our goal is to support organizations that, like Meridian, serve individuals and communities facing barriers, which is why we are thrilled to partner with the City of Barrie and Community Builders.”
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Community Builders provides skilled trades training to underserved populations and delivers both general construction services as well as off-site modular housing construction projects. Producing homes in a climate-controlled factory year-round in Barrie results in higher quality training and homes. Their work accelerates affordable housing and creates meaningful employment resulting in healthier communities that enable business growth that drives regional economic growth.
“As a Social Enterprise we are working to solve two of Canada’s biggest challenges, the skilled trades shortage and the affordable housing crisis. With the support of incredible partners like the City of Barrie and Meridian Credit Union we are able to jointly create more affordable housing, meaningful employment and healthier communities,” according to Brandon Day, Community Builders’ CEO,
“Our graduates are eager and ready to work. Trainees leave our program with the confidence, essential life skills, safety gear and certifications, their own tools and hands-on job experience to launch them into a meaningful career in construction. Trainees get to work with us on real jobs such as performing renovations, building secondary suites, Accessory Dwelling Units and most recently building modular housing at our Barrie Off-Site Modular Housing Factory.”
Established in 2016, Community Builders is a leading not-for-profit construction social enterprise in Simcoe County and Greater Sudbury. The entire business model is designed to unlock community benefit as they support people to move them off social assistance, provide jobs that reduce recidivism and create local, sustainable economic growth that results in healthier communities for everyone.
Having now trained over 300+ individuals to become employment-ready, graduates can begin their journey toward well-paying, life-changing careers in the trades.
According to a Community Builders Graduate, “This program and the Community Builders people pulled me in when I felt all hope was lost. They provided an opportunity to kickstart my career in the trades with immense experience and training. They helped me gain self-confidence not only in my ability to work alongside journeymen in the trades, but they made me feel a sense of belonging and inclusiveness before I even started my first day.”
Meridian Credit Union is Ontario’s largest credit union, serving communities from the Niagara Region to the GTA and beyond. The organization’s member-first approach and strong emphasis on social responsibility have made it a trusted financial partner for over 75 years.
