Manufacturing Skills Training Partnership Program

The Ontario Manufacturing Learning Consortium (OMLC) have launched a partnership program with Ontario manufacturers to help address the skills gap in the labour market. Manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to find talented and experienced youth who can work in manufacturing environments. To help address this the OMLC launched a partnership program where young interns will receive three weeks of in-class training provided by OMLC and 23 weeks of mentoring and coaching in an on-the-job internship with manufacturers across South Western Ontario. The program benefits manufacturers by providing a subsidy for hosting the intern and helps increase the skills and experience of youth who are aiming to build a career in machining and manufacturing.

Skills Training Partnership Eligibility

To be eligible for this program a business must be operate within one of the following industries:

• Aerospace;
• Tool/die mould;
• Nuclear; and
• General manufacturing.

Businesses can identify youth participants who are not currently working for them or in a manufacturing position, eligible candidates must be between the ages of 18-29 with an expressed interest in pursuing a career in CNC Machining.

Skills Training Internship Schedule

Once a participant has been screened by OLMC and accepted for the program, they will be provided with three weeks of in-class skills training. This will provide them with necessary safety, workplace processes/procedures, and CNC theory training. After that they will spend 23 weeks at a participating business’ facility working in a CNC machining role.

Businesses will provide mentorship and coaching to the participant to support their skills development and improvement. To help offset the costs associated with the intern, OLMC will provide businesses with $8,000.

Ontario Government Funding for Training Initiatives

In addition to the OMLC partnership program, businesses can leverage a range of Ontario government funding programs to address skills and labour gaps in their business. Programs offered by FedDev Ontario and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) can help offset the cost of engaging in training and skills development programs. Businesses can receive funding for a range of training initiatives including:

• Up to $50,000 for 25 or 50% of direct labour and third party training costs associated with a training project that will improve a manufacturer’s exporting capabilities.
• Up to $10,000 or 66% per trainee for third party training costs for skills development and skills improvement training projects.
• $10,000-$20,000 in wage subsidies to hire new youth employees.

Learn About Canadian Funding Opportunities

Businesses interested in learning more about training and labour funding or other Canadian government funding opportunities can attend one of our free Canadian government funding workshops or webinars. You can also contact us directly to reach a government funding expert.