Federal government announces support for Nova Scotia training and innovation program

HALIFAX — On Mar. 18, Lena Metlege Diab, MP for Halifax West, on behalf of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced $43,453 in funding to International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 39 for its Building Blocks: Training for the Future project. The project will seek to address the training gap within the labour force of Glazier and Drywall Tapers in Lakeside, NS. MP Lena Metlege Diab also announced $39,395 in funding to Local Unionworkers 625 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for its Renewable Energy Photovoltaic Training project. The project will seek to address new technologies in the field of renewable solar energy with Photovoltaic Training within the electrical trade industry.

These projects are funded through the Union Training and Innovation Program’s (UTIP) Stream 1 to help unions across Canada improve the quality of training through investments in equipment and materials.

The UTIP supports union-based apprenticeship training and works to: try and improve the quality of training in the trades; address barriers limiting participation and success in trades training careers; and enhance partnerships between stakeholders.

“Skilled tradespeople have been critical to essential sectors during this pandemic and they will continue to be critical in the years to come. That’s why the Government of Canada is investing in the Union Training and Innovation Program to provide skilled trades workers with access to modern training equipment that will set them up for success in the workplace.” said Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough.