CTMA’s Robert Cattle with Premier Ford during the announcement on Sept. 2, 2025. CTMA photo
As part of a major $12.9 million investment from the Ontario government through the Skills Development Fund (SDF), the CTMA is proud to receive $2.25 million to deliver experiential work placements in the precision metalworking industry, as part of the plan to deliver training programs in sectors affected by U.S. tariffs and policies.
On Sept. 2, Premier Doug Ford announced that the Ontario government is investing over $12.9 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to help over 50,000 people in Waterloo Region prepare for good-paying jobs in high-demand sectors, including manufacturing, skilled trades, construction, education and health innovation. This investment is part of the province’s historic investments in the SDF, which was recently increased to $2.5 billion to support workers facing economic uncertainty as a result of U.S. tariffs.
This funding will help train the next generation of skilled tradespeople and strengthen Ontario’s advanced manufacturing workforce — at a time when it’s more critical than ever.
Since its launch in 2021, Ontario has invested $1.5 billion through the SDF Training Stream and Capital Stream to help train more than one million workers for in-demand careers. As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the government is investing nearly $1 billion more through the Skills Development Fund over the next three years, bringing the total to $2.5 billion, to support key industrial sectors and help train even more workers.
Read the full press release here.