Canada's Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages has pledged $7.3-million to help bolster the number of people employed in the skilled trades.
Randy Boissonnault announced the funding at Build A Dream in Windsor on Wednesday.
"Investing in training and opportunities for Canadian workers is how we fill critical labour gaps across Canada," said Boissonnault. "This $7.3-million investment will strengthen our workforce, grow our economy, and support middle-class jobs for the people of Windsor."
The money will flow through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Union Training and Innovation Program - Innovation in Apprenticeship Stream and encourage underrepresented groups like women, newcomers, people with disabilities, racialized Canadians, and Indigenous people to take up a career in Red Seal trades.
Of the total, $4-million over two years will fund the first project, Diversifying the Talent Pipelines for In-Demand Red Seal Trades. It will help boost the ranks of skilled trades workers in Ontario, Alberta, and Nova Scotia by 18,000.
Participants in that program will get support to upgrade their skills through hands-on experience.
The second project is Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor. More than $3-million over four years will support 400 apprentices to succeed with math refresher courses, childcare, and financial support.
"This federal funding will allow WEST to build on existing partnerships with local unions, educational institutions, and local employers, and expand on best practices to help women to succeed," said WEST Executive Director Rose Anguiano Hurst.