ONTARIO JOBS 💵👨‍🔧🚘👩‍🔧 Ontario Building the Auto Manufacturing Workforce of the Future

Wednesday, 31 May 2023 04:38.PM

- New program will introduce students to good-paying careers in growing auto sector -

The Ontario government is investing nearly $6 million to support 14 innovative projects to connect the next generation of workers to the province’s growing auto sector.

These projects, part of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network’s Regional Future Workforce (RFW) program, will introduce students to opportunities in the auto sector and help them develop the skills they need to secure good-paying jobs after graduation.

“As we continue to grow Ontario’s auto supply chain, it’s important that we empower students and connect them with exciting opportunities in the sector,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We’re attracting billions of dollars worth of investment from companies worldwide that will create thousands of new jobs.”

The RFW program aims to bridge the gap between students, of all ages, and the auto industry, while also focusing on reducing the stigma associated with careers in the skilled trades.
Non-profit organizations, school boards and post-secondary institutions will receive up to $500,000 each to lead eight-month-long automotive-focused programs to at least 500 students. Each program is designed to address the unique needs of the region and the ages of the students. Programs can range from play-based learning for young children, to manufacturing, robotics, and mining workshops for older students.

The 14 projects will be led by:
• Actua
• Georgian College
• K2i Academy, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
• Lambton College
• Laurentian University
• Mathstronauts
• Mohawk College, Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship
• Ontario Council for Technology Education
• Ontario Tech University
• St. Clair College
• University of Guelph
• University of Ottawa, Kanata North
• University of Toronto, Scarborough
• University of Waterloo

“Careers in Ontario’s auto sector offer life-changing opportunities, with good pay, pensions and benefits,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government will continue to invest in innovative projects that help workers and jobseekers get the skills they need to land better jobs with bigger paycheques in the auto industry.”

Over the last two and a half years, Ontario has attracted over $25 billion in automotive and electric vehicle battery related investments, including a $7 billion investment from Volkswagen to build their first overseas EV battery manufacturing facility in St. Thomas.

"As we continue to strengthen Ontario’s position as a global leader in the automotive sector, the Regional Future Workforce program is critical to ensuring we have the skilled workers needed to fill the jobs of today and tomorrow."
- Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation

Quick Facts

• The Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is an Ontario government initiative to accelerate the development, testing, commercialization and deployment of the next generation of electric, connected, and autonomous vehicle and mobility technologies. The initiative is led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation with support from the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
• Vehicle assembly and auto parts production directly supports approximately 100,000 jobs in Ontario, as well as hundreds of thousands of indirect jobs. Ontario’s auto supply chain comprises over 700 parts firms, over 500 tool, die and mold makers, and over 300 connected and autonomous companies.
• Through the Skills Development Fund, Ontario is investing more than $4.7 million to support two innovative projects to help over 360 people land full-time jobs in the auto manufacturing sector. These free programs will provide participants with skills for careers in machine operation, assembly, quality control and logistics while also preparing automotive technicians and those interested in the industry for work in the emerging electric vehicle field.

SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

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