As an organization dedicated to building the future skilled workforce, Skills Ontario applauds the Government of Ontario for the steps outlined in the 2021 Ontario Budget, released today by Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board. For the next phase of Ontario’s COVID-19 Action Plan, Skills Ontario is pleased to see the continued support for and recognition of skilled trade and technology careers as vital to the economy and essential to post-pandemic recovery. Skills Ontario also commends the government on the continued focus on health and safety throughout this pandemic period.   

“We are thrilled to continue our strong partnership with the Ontario government and the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, and we support the budget announced today,” says Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario. “Working together and inspiring the next generation of skilled trade and technology leaders is crucial to our success as a province, and as Skills Ontario made the successful pivot to offering virtual programing, we are looking forward to continuing to provide learning opportunities to Ontarians.”

In particular, Skills Ontario applauds the government’s commitment to providing funding to assist women, racialized individuals, Indigenous peoples, youth and people with disabilities who are facing the highest rates of unemployment during the pandemic. Skills Ontario is pleased to be expanding programing in each of these areas to connect them with rewarding careers in skilled trades and technologies. The organization also recognizes the importance of the $2,000 Job Training Tax Credit that will help many Ontarians obtain the necessary training to succeed in skilled trade and technology careers, as well as the focus on workplace safety, which includes free occupational health and safety training for health and safety representatives.

As stated in the Government of Ontario’s news release, “the 2021 Budget builds on the government’s record investments in response to the global pandemic, bringing total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people’s health and $23.3 billion to protect our economy. Ontario’s COVID-19 action plan support now totals $51 billion.”

About

Skills Ontario has been growing a portfolio of programs to inspire and engage youth since 1989, including presentations, career exploration events, competitions, summer camps, and Young Women’s and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit workshops and conferences. To see how you can partner with Skills Ontario and help make a difference in the lives of Ontario youth, visit skillsontario.com/get-involved. 

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