Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford visited Local 793’s training institute, OETIO, to tour facilities and officially mark its participation in the Ontario Government’s free pre-apprenticeship training program.
The government has provided more than $540,000 this year to help fund pre-apprenticeship training at OETIO, allowing staff to deliver eight-week pre-apprenticeship training for 36 non-Indigenous and 12 Indigenous members of Local 793.
Local 793 Vice President Dave Turple, OETIO Executive Director Rick Kerr and OETIO Director of Training and Apprenticeship Jeff Hewitt were in attendance.
Funding for pre-apprenticeship training is part of the government’s nearly $1.5 billion total investment in its Skilled Trades Strategy, developed in response to the Ontario construction industry’s need to fill 100,000 jobs by 2026.
During his visit, Crawford stopped into a Mobile Crane Level 3 class to speak with the apprentices.
“Your organization has been phenomenal and the job you do creating the environment for safe building is critical, so the government of Premier Doug Ford has provided this funding to support your organization to continue what you are doing,” he said.
