Premier Ford announces investment in Skilled Trades training at Kemptville Campus

Brockville/Kemptville – Premier Doug Ford, Labour Minister David Puccini and MPP Steve Clark were in Brockville last Friday to announce $2.1 million in funding through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to train over 700 workers and young people for careers in the skilled trades in Leeds-Grenville.

This investment includes $840,912 to the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre and the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB), to expand their apprenticeship programs in the motive power sector. Forty-five apprentices and workers will work towards Red Seal Certification through the Commercial Vehicle and Equipment Apprenticeship (CVEA) program.

This investment will also enable the Campus and UCDSB to deliver one-day training programs to over 500 students in grades 7-12, encouraging youth to start a career in the skilled trades.

Following the press conference, Premier Ford and MPP Clark visited the TR Leger Apprenticeship Centre at Kemptville Campus, meeting with apprentices and touring the facility. “With today’s investments, we’re helping hundreds of workers across the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville get the training and support they need to find good-paying jobs that will support the local economy,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Across the province, we’re rebuilding Ontario’s economy by investing in the skilled trades so we can attract investment and create better jobs with bigger paycheques for our world-class workers.”

A unique partnership between Kemptville Campus and UCDSB delivers apprenticeship training in Kemptville to youth and adults from across Leeds Grenville and Eastern Ontario. Jamie Schoular, Chair of the Upper Canada District School Board, noted that “allowing students to learn about the trades and provide them with hands-on education that equips them with practical experiences is a priority for the Upper Canada District School Board. We are fortunate to have built partnerships with the Kemptville Campus and many local employers that enable us to provide programming for new apprentices and those interested in the motive power trades. We want to thank our provincial government for continuing to make this funding a priority.”

“Kemptville Campus is thrilled to receive this Skills Development Funding to expand our apprenticeship programs in the Power Motive trades” said Leela Ramachandran, Programs Manager at Kemptville Campus. “This investment by the province supports innovative approaches to skills training. Our hybrid learning format allows apprentices to continue working while completing their schooling, which benefits both apprentices and employers. We are excited to now offer Level 2 Apprenticeship training for Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technicians. This means apprentices can continue to work, study and live in Leeds Grenville as they progress toward Red Seal Certification.”

Both Kemptville Campus and UCDSB acknowledged the essential contributions of many industry partners to the program. Working with a range of local employers ensures that apprentices receive the right knowledge and skills to meet today’s job market demands.

Mayor of North Grenville, Nancy Peckford, also expressed her thanks to the province for their support, remarking that “we are very appreciative for the Skills Development Funding provided by the provincial government. This investment is vital to strengthening the trades and industrial sectors in Leeds Grenville, ensuring that our local workforce has access to training right here in our communities to meet the demands of our rapidly developing region. Thanks to the innovative partnership with the Upper Canada District School Board and Kemptville Campus, we are now better positioned to offer meaningful opportunities for skills training in North Grenville, especially for youth, encouraging them to build their careers and futures here at home.”