Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker has announced the Owen Sound Family YMCA will receive $709,893 from the SkillsAdvance Ontario (SAO) program.

Ontario Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton announced the government is investing in the YMCA’s Essential Skills Supportive Care Assistant program, which will provide employers with access to job-ready, skilled workers and provide participants with sector-focused employment and training services in the Health Care Industry.

“This is excellent news for residents and businesses in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound,” said MPP Bill Walker. “This funding helps employers to train the skilled workers they need for their business and create job opportunities for our local workers. This is truly a win-win and I want to thank Minister McNaughton for this investment in our community.”

“This program will provide up to 100 laid-off workers with the soft skills and technical training needed to find meaningful, in-demand jobs in the health care industry”, said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Once training is completed, graduates enter paid work placements, getting their foot in the door and taking the first step in their new careers.”

Funding for this project is laid out in the province’s 2021 Budget Ontario's Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, to help workers affected by the pandemic retrain and upgrade their skills to find good jobs.

The Employment Ontario network includes more than 300 partner organizations across Ontario that offer a range of free services and supports that help businesses find workers and connect jobseekers to training and job opportunities.

source: media release, MPP Bill Walker