Pictured is a student of the Residential Bricklaying Program at the Skilled Trades College Canada. Provided by Canada Construct ConnectToronto, ON – With the world gradually reopening and industries opening its doors, the Ontario government is looking to help people affected by the pandemic get back to work. The government is providing an Ontario Tools Grant program to help apprentices by providing grants to purchase tools, protective equipment, and clothing for their trade. The government will also be forgiving previous loans to buy tools.
“Hospitality workers and our skilled tradespeople have been among those hardest hit by this pandemic,” said Doug Ford, premier of Ontario. “These new programs will ensure they’re ready to get back on the job and play an important role in our economic recovery.”
The Ontario Tools Grant program was initially announced in 2020 by Ford, Christine Elliott, deputy premier and minister of health, and Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development.
An initial grant of $2.5 million was provided for 2020-2021, and a further $7.5 million will be provided in 2021-22 and ongoing. The funding amounts are distributed as follows.
Apprentices in the motive power sector of the trades are eligible for $1,000. For those in the construction and industrial sector trades are eligible for $600. Lastly, $400 will be given to eligible apprentices in service sector trades.
To be eligible for the grant, apprentices must have completed level one training on or after April 2020, be in an active registered training agreement, and been registered as an apprentice for at least 12 months.
In addition to the grant program, the government is also helping apprentices by forgiving more than $10 million in outstanding loans. The Loans for Tools Program allowed thousands of new apprentices to buy tools, equipment, clothing, manuals and code books required for their trade, according to the province.
To apply, visit www.eoss.tcu.gov.on.ca.