Ontario Investing in Apprenticeship Training at Confederation College
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
Grant funding supports upgrades to training facilities and equipment at Confederation College, helping prepare workers for in-demand skilled trades careers
News Release | April 9th, 2026
THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is investing more than $1,014,120 to expand apprenticeship training at Confederation College, helping more people in Thunder Bay gain the skills and experience needed for good-paying, in-demand careers in the skilled trades.
This investment is part of the government’s annual $29 million commitment through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant program, which supports upgrades to training facilities and equipment to ensure apprentices receive hands-on learning that reflects current industry standards.
“Our government is making sure that people in Thunder Bay have access to the training and tools they need to succeed,” said the Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. “By investing in Confederation College, we’re strengthening our skilled trades workforce and helping build a more competitive and resilient economy.”
Through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant program, Ontario is supporting training delivery agents across the province to strengthen apprenticeship opportunities in 2025–26.
Confederation College will use this funding to upgrade equipment and enhance training facilities that support apprenticeship and skilled trades programming. These improvements will ensure students and apprentices have access to modern, industry-standard tools and learning environments that reflect current employer needs.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is proud to invest in programs that modernize training and strengthen Ontario’s apprenticeship system,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “At a time when many people are looking for stability and opportunity, these investments are helping more people train for rewarding, in-demand careers close to home, while ensuring employers can find the skilled workers they need to fill critical labour gaps.”
With funding from the Apprenticeship Capital Grant, Confederation College will strengthen hands-on training by upgrading equipment and training spaces that support programs such as Industrial Mechanic and Millwright. These enhancements will help prepare students for careers in high-demand skilled trades while ensuring training providers can keep pace with evolving technologies and industry demands.
“This investment strengthens our ability to deliver hands-on training that reflects the needs of today’s workforce. At Confederation College, we work closely with industry and community partners to create clear pathways into the skilled trades.” said Michelle Salo, President of Confederation College. “Expanding access is key, especially for women, Indigenous learners and those in rural and remote communities, so more people can see themselves in these careers and succeed in them.”
Ontario continues to take action to protect workers, businesses and communities by investing in skills training that responds to labour market needs. This investment will continue to develop our world class workforce, connect employers to skilled workers, support economic growth and build a stronger, more competitive and resilient Ontario.
Quick Facts
There are 144 skilled trades in Ontario.
Ontario will need an additional 400,000 skilled trades workers over the next decade to meet demand for housing, infrastructure, transit, energy and industrial projects.
One in six jobs in Ontario is expected to be in the skilled trades by 2034, underscoring the need to continue growing apprenticeship pathways and training capacity.
There are currently over 95,000 registered apprentices in Ontario.
In 2025, nearly 10,000 youth registered for an apprenticeship.
The Apprenticeship Capital Grant is supported by labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
