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Canadian Government Supports Steel-Trade Apprentices in Ontario

05/24/2010 - The Canadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress received $1.8 million last year, which helped retain and employ 140 workers in the steel industry. Now the Government of Canada is providing an additional $250,000 to help employers in the industry hire 50 new apprentices.

The Government of Canada is helping to provide skills training to nearly 200 Ontario apprentices and workers to help the country recover from the economic downturn.
 
David Sweet, Member of Parliament for Ancaster–Dundas–Flamborough–Westdale, recently announced support to the Canadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress (CSTEC) for its Workforce Development Initiative. This initiative is helping employers in the steel industry retain and retrain workers who are facing layoffs and will enable them to recruit and train new apprentices.
 
"Our government is partnering with industry to help ensure Canadians have the skills necessary to make our country competitive in the recovering global economy," said Sweet. "Our government is taking action to invest and create good jobs today."
 
CSTEC received $1.8 million last year, which helped retain and employ 140 workers in the steel industry. Following that success, the Government of Canada is providing an additional $250,000 to help employers in the industry hire 50 new apprentices. 
 
"The Workforce Development Initiative between CSTEC and the federal government has helped the steel industry to retain and to expand its skilled trades workforce in this very difficult and uncertain economic environment," said Robert Jones, Executive Director of the Congress. "These investments by the industry and the federal government will pay off in a stronger and more globally competitive steel industry in Canada."
 
This project complements other investments the Government of Canada is making in skills training for Canadians through grants, tax credits, and support for training programs. Through apprenticeship grants, for example, eligible apprentices can receive up to $4000 upon completing their apprenticeship program and obtaining their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade.
 
The Canadian Steel Trade and Employment Congress helps the Canadian steel industry and its workers meet their evolving challenges. It is an industry-driven organization that responds to human resources and skills development pressures within the broader Canadian steel industry. The Congress' initiatives include apprenticeship, essential skills, training, career awareness, and youth employment services.