The Ontario government has launched its sixth round of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream and the Huron Chamber of Commerce says it comes at a critical time.
The region continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the province, last month checking in at 4.3 per cent.
The Ontario government has committed another $260 million to projects that support the hiring, training, and upskilling of workers.
Executive Director of the Huron Chamber Colin Carmichael says this fund is another tool to improve the skills of workers that are already here.
"Hopefully this type of funding — and this isn't the silver bullet, it's one in a number of things that can be done — but hopefully this will allow some of our local employers and trade associations to provide additional training and upskilling to better equip the workforce that we have for the jobs that we have," he said.
Employers, non-profits, municipalities, industrial associations and trade unions can all apply for the funding.
However, this round of funding does offer a change from the previous five.
"There's a new capital funding stream, so in addition to funding the training itself, the province is now offering funding to make capital investments in training facilities," said Carmichael. "So if there are facilities in the county that need upgrades, that would be available, and that's new in this sixth round."
The deadline for applications is October 1. Though it is a few months away, Carmichael says potential applicants should get going soon.
"The application deadline will come up fast," he said. "The funding stipulates that is has to be training in areas where there is an identified need, so applicants will have to indicate why there is a need for whatever training they're hoping to fund."
To learn more about the Skills Development Fund Training Stream, visit the chamber's website.