Apprentices And Skilled Workers To Benefit From Updated Skills Training

     Centres

     KINGSTON, ON, Jan. 11 /CNW/ - Five grants to four local skills training

centres will expand training in Kingston for apprentices, workers and

journeypersons, John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

announced today.

     "Kingston needs more skilled workers to keep its employers strong and the

local economy moving forward," Milloy said. "We're providing unions and

employers with resources to give workers the skills they need to help make a

more prosperous Ontario."

     Through the Skills Training Infrastructure Program, the Ontario

government is investing almost $25 million in 2007-08, including nearly

$7.9 million at this time so that 39 skills training centres can replace or

upgrade equipment.

     In Kingston, investments totalling $528,250 include:

     -  $349,352.74 to the LIUNA Local 247 Training Trust Fund

     -  $35,120.25 to the United Association Local 221, static training centre

     -  $30,579.75 to the United Association Local 221, mobile training centre

     -  $96,690.83 to the Greater Ontario Regional Council of Carpenters,

        Drywall and Allied Workers, Local 249, and

     -  $16,506.77 to Millwright Local 1410

     "Today's announcement is great news for the skilled trades in the

Kingston area," said John Gerretsen, MPP Kingston and the Islands. "By

investing in our local apprenticeship training centres we are creating more

opportunities for apprentices, workers and journeypersons to train right here

in our community."

     "This new investment by our provincial government demonstrates a

recognition of the importance of skilled trades to the growth, economic

development and sustainability of Greater Kingston," said Harvey Rosen, Mayor

of Kingston.

     "The government's investment in our training centre couldn't be more

timely," said Victor Claro, administrator of the LIUNA Local 247 training

trust fund. "Our industry is changing and we need to continue to provide

trades people and apprentices with training that will allow them to work more

effectively and maintain a high standard of safety. Eastern Ontario is

experiencing a construction boom and employers need skilled workers in all

sectors of the construction industry."

     The funding will allow skills training centres to keep pace with changing

technological requirements and train more apprentices, trainees and workers.

     This announcement follows one made in June that awarded $16.9 million to

update the facilities and equipment of 53 skills training centres.

     The McGuinty government is committed to helping workers and communities

adjust to competitive challenges. In the recently announced 2007 Ontario

Economic Update and Fiscal Review, the government further demonstrated this

commitment by announcing it will invest an additional $40 million this year in

skills development through Employment Ontario, its over $1-billion integrated

employment and training network. The government will also provide an

additional $5 million in 2007-08 to the Communities in Transition program.

This program helps communities facing significant challenges, such as the loss

of a major employer, build a successful future.

SKILLS TRAINING CENTRES AND

                  THE SKILLS TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

     The Ontario government will invest $25 million in 2007-08, including

$7.9 million immediately in 39 skills training centres to replace or purchase

new equipment to help train more workers, apprentices and journeypersons. The

program focuses on trades and occupations that have experienced significant

technological change.

     The Skills Training Infrastructure Program encourages unions, employers

and the broader training community to work together by requiring applicants

to:

     -  Contribute a minimum of 25 per cent of the equipment purchase cost

     -  Have industry support for the upgrade or expansion.

     Projects were chosen through a call for proposals. Consideration was

given to proposals that:

     -  Serve the needs of construction or Red Seal trades (these are trades

        that through agreements among the provinces and territories allow

        certified skilled workers to work anywhere in Canada)

     -  Improve training in skilled occupations or trades that have undergone

        technological change or whose scope has broadened.

     The Skills Training Infrastructure Program is provided through Employment

Ontario, Ontario's employment and training network. Full program details are

available on the Employment Ontario website at

www.ontario.ca/employmentontario.

     In the March 2007 Ontario Budget, the McGuinty government announced a

one-time investment of $25 million for skills training centres in Ontario.

Investments through the program will replace existing or purchase

additional/new training equipment to expand the capacity of a skills training

centre to provide training and ensure that training meets industry standards.

A first call for proposals resulted in an investment of $16.9 million in 53

projects, which was announced in June.

     Employment Ontario expands opportunities and strengthens Ontario's

economy by providing seamless customer service, removing barriers to training

and strengthening links to employment. Employment Ontario provides almost

$1 billion in integrated training, apprenticeship and labour market services,

bringing together approximately 1200 service providers in all regions of the

province.