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ST. CATHARINES, ONT. — is receiving $10 million from the Ontario Government to train and upskill workers for careers in the shipbuilding and repair sector.

The funding is part of the government’s up to $1.4 billion investment through the (SDF) Training Stream to partner with employers, labour unions and other local organizations to connect jobseekers with employers.

Ontario Shipyards Inc. will deliver training, reskilling and upskilling programs for careers in the millwright, welding, electrical and painting trades in St. Catharines, Hamilton and Thunder Bay. Courses will include shipbuilding and ship repair, shipyard orientation and health and safety procedures, along with professional development, leadership training and mentoring to recruit and retain the next generation of leaders and workers, states a release.

Applications are open for the government’s fifth round of the SDF Training Stream, with up to $260 million in available funding, the largest funding round announced since the fund launched in 2021. This round of funding brings Ontario’s total investment through the SDF to up to $1.4 billion.

“Historically, Ontario was the epicentre of shipbuilding in Canada, providing livelihoods to thousands,” said Shaun Padulo, president and CEO of Ontario Shipyards Inc., in a statement. “The Ontario Shipyard Modernization Project made possible through the Skills Development Fund from the Province of Ontario, marks a significant step towards reclaiming Ontario’s legacy. This initiative is not just about infrastructure; it’s about training and nurturing the next generation of skilled shipyard workers.”