Toronto, Ontario — Ontario government investing 20 million into helping small businesses jointly sponsor and train apprentices through the new Group Sponsorship Grant program.
“We’re leaving no stone unturned in our mission to help those who are interested find good jobs in the skilled trades. Our government’s Group Sponsorship Grant will bring more employers and apprentices together and will contribute to our province’s economic recovery,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skill development. “This program is a great example of how we are encouraging more employer participation in apprenticeship, helping businesses find the talent they need while engaging and preparing people for meaningful careers in the skilled trades.”
The new Group Sponsorship Grant aims to increase the number of people training and working in the skilled trades. The program also will reduce pressure on any individual employer to see an apprentice through to completion of training and provide apprentices with the support needed to become a registered journeyperson.
Part of the government’s Skilled Trades Strategy laid out in the 2020 budget, will help ensure the province has a supply of skilled workers to meet current and future labour market needs.
Group sponsors consist of two or more people who act as a single sponsor to collectively provide training to apprentices by growing their skills and gaining work experience to improve their career success.
The application is available to current and new group sponsors. Successful applicants may receive funding for up to three years.
“This program is a great example of how we are encouraging more employer participation in apprenticeship,” said Jill Dunlop, associate minister of children and women’s issues. “We want more women to discover meaningful careers in the skilled trades and the initiative we are announcing today will help businesses do just that while finding the talent they need.”
Group sponsor who share apprenticeship management and training responsibilities also includes, interviewing and selecting prospective apprentices and establishing a training network; coordinating and monitoring the apprentice’s on-the-job workplace training; submitting documentation for apprenticeship application, registration of training agreements and completion of the apprenticeship training programs; supporting apprentices through the complete apprenticeship cycle, including registration, workplace and classroom-based training, completion and trade certification; overseeing affiliated employers and organizations who provide apprenticeship training and ensure they are delivering apprenticeship training following the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, its regulations and training standards.
Over the course of the next two years, Ontario will also be investing 274.9 million to help apprentices pay for living expenses during their in-class training and ensure they receive a high-quality education in a safe environment. Employment and organizations can apply for the Group Sponsorship Grant—here.
