Skills Development Fund investments will prepare 400 workers and jobseekers for in-demand careers in the skilled trades, agriculture and long-term care
| NEWS | August 24, 2026 |
AURORA — The Ontario government is supporting workers’ training and economic growth in Simcoe and surrounding area through the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream. Through an investment of over $4.8 million across three training projects, Ontario aims to help 400 underrepresented jobseekers access training and prepare for rewarding, in-demand careers in one of Ontario’s fastest growing regions. These projects will deliver practical skills training, work experience, mentorship and employment supports to help workers and jobseekers prepare for in-demand careers in agriculture, long-term care and the skilled trades, ensuring Ontario has the skilled workforce needed to stay competitive and resilient in the face of U.S. tariffs.
“Supporting Simcoe and surrounding communities means making sure Ontario workers and businesses are ready to compete and succeed, especially as President Trump continues to threaten Canadian jobs with damaging tariffs,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “We’re not going to let President Trump’s tariffs dictate Ontario’s future. Through the Skills Development Fund, we’re breaking down barriers, connecting more people to in-demand careers and giving employers the skilled talent they need to grow. The best way to fight back is to build a stronger Ontario economy, one where our workers have the skills to succeed, our businesses have the talent to expand and our communities are ready to compete with anyone, anywhere.”
Minister Piccini was joined by representatives from Blue Door Support Service, which is receiving $3,637,864 to help 200 vulnerable, unemployed and unhoused jobseekers located in Simcoe area prepare for in-demand careers. Through their eight-week program in York, Durham and Peel Regions, participants will receive skills training, wraparound supports and hands-on experience to pursue careers in the skilled trades, agriculture and long-term care, strengthening the local workforce employers and growing communities rely on. Participants can apply online.
“Funding from Ontario’s Skills Development Fund to support Blue Door’s skilled trades training program, Construct, is pivotal for vulnerable jobseekers facing barriers to employment and the risk of homelessness,” shares Debbie Schatia, Chief Executive Officer at Blue Door. “Funding provides participants with in-class and hands-on training as well as individualized supports such as food, transportation, and psychotherapy to remove barriers and in a matter of weeks, secure quality, in-demand, well-paying trade careers.”
Through SDF Training Stream Round 6, the Ontario government is partnering with two other organizations to deliver training and workforce development opportunities across Simcoe and surrounding areas:
- Botree Inc. is receiving $813,700 to train 125 women and people from underrepresented groups for careers in long-term care, including as personal support workers and other frontline care professionals, helping improve care quality in nursing and residential care facilities across the surrounding area. Participants will be recruited through participating long-term care homes and employer partners to ensure training is aligned with local hiring needs.
- The Karma Project Community Food Co-Operative Inc. is receiving $417,000 to provide 75 at-risk youth with hands-on, technical training, preparatory activities and mentorship to prepare for careers in agriculture and strengthen the workforce behind one of Simcoe’s key industries. Interested individuals can apply by phone 1-705-506-8899 or email soltosoul@live.com.
The new SDF Training Stream Round 6 projects have been evaluated, selected and will be delivered through a strengthened program that aligns with recommendations from the Auditor General’s 2025 program review. These enhancements include:
- Tracking longer-term employment outcomes at three, six and 12 months to better measure success and improve program monitoring.
- Increasing transparency by requiring applications to disclose the use of registered lobbyists and consultants, with information verified against Ontario’s Lobbyists Registry.
- Strengthening project selection through a more rigorous project screening, risk assessment and evaluation process.
Above and beyond the Auditor General’s recommendations, the ministry also implemented new tools for risk management and due diligence, including analyzing individuals associated with applications, in addition to the organization.
The enhanced SDF Training Stream Round 6 is part of the government’s plan to Protect Ontario by ensuring workers are prepared with the skills needed for in-demand careers. By investing in training and upskilling projects, the government is helping protect Ontario workers and communities by building the skilled workforce needed to build stronger, more resilient communities.
Quick Facts
- Through Rounds 1-5, the SDF Training Stream has helped more than 120,000 participants across Ontario find employment within 60 days of completing their program, supported more than 1,000 training projects and aimed at helping over 700,000 workers train for in-demand sectors.
- SDF Training Stream Round 6 is funded exclusively by the Government of Ontario.
Quotes
“Now more than ever, our government is strengthening the pipeline of highly skilled workers that we need to build and protect Ontario. Through this investment, we are ensuring that Ontario’s next generation of in-demand workers can get the hands-on training they need to land good-paying jobs, strengthen Simcoe’s booming sectors, and drive our province’s economy.”
– Nolan Quinn
Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
“Newmarket-Aurora is a growing community, and investments like this mean more people can build rewarding careers close to home. By connecting jobseekers with practical training and the supports they need to succeed, we’re opening doors for people who may have faced barriers to employment while strengthening the workforce our local employers and communities depend on. I’m especially happy to see this investment supporting Blue Door, because their programs deliver real results for members of our community and help set people up for a successful career journey. I’m proud to see our government investing in people and creating more opportunities for families across our region.”
– Dawn Gallagher Murphy
Member of Provincial Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora
“Investing in local organizations means investing directly in the people and communities they serve. Through our government’s Skills Development Fund, we are expanding access to the training opportunities workers and jobseekers need to build meaningful careers close to home. Barrie-Innisfil organizations like Botree Inc., are opening doors to opportunity and helping prepare our workforce for the in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow.”
– Andrea Khanjin
MPP for Barrie-Innisfil
“Ensuring our workforce is prepared for the in-demand jobs of tomorrow, especially in the face of global economic uncertainty, is a priority for this region. These investments, through the Skills Development Fund, will help to support workers and job seekers by providing them with critical job training in emerging and growing markets that they will be able to use for their future. These supports will help address the barriers to long-term employment and help strength our workforce and economy now and moving forward.”
– Doug Downey
Member of Provincial Parliament for Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte
“Having the opportunity to build a meaningful career can be life-changing, particularly for those facing difficult circumstances. These investments will open new doors for people across our region, including some of our most vulnerable, and help them work toward greater independence and long-term stability. I want to thank the organizations delivering these programs for helping people pursue new opportunities to build a more secure future.”
– Brian Saunderson
Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe-Grey
“Botree is thrilled to partner with the Ontario government to transform how we train and support frontline care professionals across the surrounding area. By pairing regulated training with innovative micro-learning that integrates directly into daily health-care workflows, this SDF investment allows us to support an initial cohort of 125 women and underrepresented jobseekers for high-impact, rewarding careers in long-term care, and this is just the beginning. Together with our local employer partners, we are laying the groundwork for a lasting ecosystem that will continue to strengthen health outcomes, build staff confidence, and establish a modern standard for continuous professional development.”
– Teena Sauve
Founder of Botree Inc.
“Our organization is thrilled to be a recipient of the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund! The SDF Training Stream has supported youth in North Simcoe, since 2022, by providing our non-profit with the capacity to create unique experiential training, job placements, and educational opportunities in agri-tech, food service, and health care for young adults aged 15-30. This support not only improves youth employment in our region, but also infuses the local economy with new workers, expanded skill sets, and an enhanced social safety net for some of our youngest and most promising workers. Without these funds, we would not be able to reach the number of youth that we will now successfully train in 2026 and 2027.”
– Erin Chapelle
Founder of The Karma Project