October 15, 2026
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is welcoming a new federal investment of more than $430 million over five years in apprenticeship training, while calling for future workforce programs to support the broader range of occupations needed to deliver construction projects across Canada.
Announced October 15 by Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli, the funding will expand Canada’s Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP), supporting training infrastructure, innovative apprenticeship programs and modern training equipment for the skilled trades.
The federal investment includes $197.2 million over five years for training infrastructure, allowing eligible union-run training centres to renovate, expand or construct facilities that increase training capacity.
Another $135 million will support innovative approaches to recruiting pre-apprentices, helping apprentices progress toward certification and enabling journeypersons to upgrade their skills. An additional $100 million is allocated for training equipment.
The government says Canada is projected to have more than 1.4 million job openings in the skilled trades between 2024 and 2033, underscoring the need for additional training capacity.
CCA President Rodrigue Gilbert said expanding apprenticeship training will help more Canadians enter the trades, develop their skills and remain in construction.
The association argues that workforce development will be critical as Canada pursues housing, infrastructure and defence projects.
CCA also sees the apprenticeship announcement as an opportunity to consider how future programs under the government’s broader $8 billion Team Canada Strong initiative could support additional construction occupations. The federal initiative includes programs aimed at recruiting, training and hiring tens of thousands of new Red Seal trades workers.
While certified tradespeople are essential to project delivery, CCA emphasizes that Canada’s construction workforce also includes civil construction managers, estimators, site supervisors, labourers and other professionals whose training pathways may differ from traditional apprenticeships.
Those workers may develop their skills through colleges, specialized training programs and on-the-job experience.
CCA says expanding support for these different pathways, while helping existing construction workers upgrade their skills, could strengthen the industry’s capacity to deliver projects ranging from homes and hospitals to rail networks and pipelines.
Workforce training can be particularly important for small and medium-sized construction businesses, according to CCA.
Training assistance could help companies teach crews how to operate new equipment, prepare experienced workers to move into supervisory roles or introduce employees to new construction methods.
As construction technology, equipment and project-delivery methods evolve, ongoing skills development can also help existing workers adapt rather than limiting workforce investment to new entrants.
The federal government says the expanded UTIP funding is intended to increase apprenticeship capacity while improving access to training and modern equipment. Eligible organizations can apply through separate funding streams covering infrastructure, innovation and equipment.
CCA says it intends to work with government as additional workforce initiatives are developed, advocating for programs that recognize the range of occupations and training pathways involved in construction.
With housing, transportation, energy, infrastructure and defence projects competing for skilled workers, the association’s position is that increasing Canada’s construction capacity will require both new apprentices and continued investment in the existing workforce.
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