Ontario investing nearly $5M to train over 1,600 crane workers in Oro-Medonte

The province is investing nearly $5 million to build a new crane training facility in Oro-Medonte for over 1,600 job seekers.

According to the Ontario government, its goal is to "build, expand and retrofit training facilities for workers in the trades, including construction, manufacturing technology and health care."

Ontario's investment in the facility, located on Line 4 South near Highway 11, is part of the first round of its Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream.

The funding will go towards the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) to build the facility, led by the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO).

A second round of the capital stream will start on November 29.

“With more than $74 million committed to training and workers across the province, this new round of funding through our Skills Development Fund Capital Stream will help thousands of additional Ontario workers find better jobs and bigger paycheques,” said Premier Doug Ford during a media event this morning at the future location of the training facility.

The facility will focus on training apprentices in mobile and tower crane operation, as well as heavy equipment. It will have simulation labs, workshops, and an outdoor training area for tower cranes, as well as classrooms, offices, and a cafeteria.

“With one in three tradespeople retiring over the coming years, we must pass on the skills and expertise from the golden generation of skilled tradespeople to the next generation of workers," said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

"With a new, second round of our Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, we are going to kick Ontario’s training capacity into high gear, training over one million workers for in-demand careers in every corner of Ontario.”