Ontario Invests $3.9M to Train Women in Skilled Trades

Ontario is investing nearly $3.9 million to help more than 310 women prepare for careers in skilled trades, with funding aimed at training, mentorship, job support and stronger connections with employers.

The investment comes through the sixth round of the province’s Skills Development Fund Training Stream. Several projects will also focus on women facing barriers to employment, including survivors of gender-based violence.

Training Across Several Trades

The funding will support programs connected to carpentry, cabinetmaking, machinery mechanics, transportation equipment mechanics, HVAC, gas fitting, refrigeration mechanics, construction supervision and construction project management.

The province says the goal is to give participants practical skills while helping them move more easily from training into employment.

Four Organizations Receive Funding

Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region will receive about $2 million to support 42 women who have survived gender-based violence. The program will provide skills training, employment assistance and other wraparound supports.

The Redwood will receive about $914,110 to help 100 survivors of gender-based violence. Participants will receive mentorship, financial assistance, trauma-informed support and job preparation for careers including HVAC technician, gas fitter and refrigeration mechanic.

The Canadian Association of Women in Construction will receive about $459,675 to train 120 women for supervisory and project management roles in construction. The program will include skills training, mentorship, employment supports and employer connections.

Metro Labour Education and Skills Training Centre will receive about $496,153 to support 50 women who want to remain employed and advance their careers. Its project will include employment opportunities, wraparound services and inclusive workplace training.

Women’s Participation Continues to Grow

Ontario reported that more than 385,000 women worked in skilled trades-related professions in 2025, representing almost one-third of the province’s skilled trades workforce. Women also accounted for about 15 per cent of active apprentices.

The province says the new programs are designed to address both technical training needs and the broader barriers that can make it harder for women to enter or remain in skilled trades.

Support may include mentorship, financial help, employment services, workplace connections, trauma-informed programming and inclusive workplace training.

Stronger Oversight for Skills Funding

Ontario says the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund includes stronger oversight measures following recommendations from the Auditor General’s 2025 review.

The changes include tracking employment outcomes at three, six and 12 months, requiring disclosure of registered lobbyists and consultants, strengthening project screening and risk assessment, and expanding due diligence for people connected to applications.

The government says previous rounds have already produced significant results. Round 4 led to more than 14,000 people finding employment and more than 67,000 participants gaining new skills. Across Rounds 1 to 5, more than 120,000 participants reportedly found work within 60 days of finishing their programs.

The latest funding is a workforce-training measure and does not create a new immigration pathway. People interested in participating must contact the organization delivering the relevant program and confirm eligibility.

For newcomers considering skilled trades, immigration eligibility remains separate and depends on federal or provincial programs, work authorization, occupation requirements and circumstances.