On May 15th, the Government of Ontario released its 2025 budget, in which Premier Doug Ford and Minister David Piccini continue to prioritize investment in the skilled trades. The budget includes substantial funding for construction training initiatives across the province. A key highlight is the government’s commitment to expand the In-Class Enhancement Fund by...
Helping more Canadian newcomers with foreign credentials write the Red Seal exam and join the construction industry workforce is the focus of a new United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) Canadian District project. The UBC Bridge to Red Seal project, funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program, aims to...
On January 24th, The Carpenters’ Regional Council (CRC) hosted students, CRC leadership, Premier Doug Ford, and representatives from the Ontario government to announce upcoming training centre upgrades, along with expanded training programs made possible by investments from the Ontario Skills Development Fund. Five CRC Local Unions will receive funding for brick-and-mortar renovations to increase floor...
The Sisters in the Skilled Trades (SST) initiative provides wraparound supports to female apprentices – including funding for childcare, lodging, and travel – to ensure they’re able to complete their in-class training as they work towards their Red Seal certification. The Apprentice Integration and Development (AID) program supports apprentices by providing targeted financial assistance enabling...
Showcasing the potential and benefits of careers in construction is the goal of a CRC partnership program focused on high school students. Spearheaded by UBC Local 494, the Enhanced Construction Program (ECP) is a forward-thinking initiative aimed at connecting students with hands-on skilled trades training. Through a partnership with the Greater Essex County District School...
Q: What new developments have been happening in the training world? Any big-picture updates? A: A big recent development for us is that an increasing number of our training centres have been receiving Training Delivery Agent (TDA) status. This designation allows us to deliver apprenticeships in-house, where previously it was mandated to be delivered by local...
On November 14, the Carpenters’ Union hosted a grand opening of the new UBC Built Training Centre in Vaughan, Ontario, a significant milestone in our commitment to providing state-of-the-art training facilities. This event marks a major investment to keep our members work-ready, now and in the future. The new UBC Built Training Centre offers a...
A new summer program for 20 high school students within the Greater Essex County was recently completed by Local 494. Empowering Tomorrow’s Workers was a partnership with the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB), where students had the chance to gain hands-on experience at Local 494’s Training Centre. The diverse group of students, between...
The UBC emphasizes the importance of early education and exposure to skilled trades. Our Locals each try to do this by providing hands-on training, being involved in local community events, offering safety courses, hosting open house tours, and creating career exploration opportunities for the community and industry partners. However, our industry still struggles with encouraging...
