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Friday, October 16, 2026

CLAC Welcomes New Federal Funds to Close Skilled Trades Gap

Cambridge, ON—CLAC construction members are working on more than $100 billion in major projects across Canada. We know firsthand that Canada's ability to deliver on its infrastructure and economic priorities depends on having the skilled workers to get the job done.

We welcome the federal government’s commitment of more than $430 million through the Union Training and Innovation Program, a major investment in addressing Canada’s skilled trades shortage.

The expanded program, announced Thursday by Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli, recognizes that closing the skilled trades gap requires more than recruiting new workers. It means investing in modern training facilities and equipment, finding innovative ways to support apprentices through certification, and ensuring experienced tradespeople can continue to develop their skills as industries evolve.

These are areas where CLAC is already making a difference. We look forward to building on our experience, working with our training partners, and pursuing opportunities through this program to expand training capacity and help more Canadians enter, succeed, and advance in the skilled trades.