The Ontario government announced Wednesday it will invest $10.9 million in training programs for nurses and other health-care professions. The investment is part of the Skills Development Fund. During a press conference held at Centenary Hospital in Scarborough, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini said the funding will be allocated to 10 health-care projects for nearly 2,000 workers and jobseekers to deliver “specialized training, work placements, mentorship and career supports.” The training program will focus on nurses, personal support workers, medical laboratory technologists, and “other critical occupations.” In addition, the Scarborough Health Network will also receive $2,225,017 to train 110 people. Other recipients include the Brain Changes Initiative, Windmill Microlending, Medical Laboratory Professionals Association of Ontario, WoundPedia, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES), Durham Community Health Centre, Prime+Care Health Centre and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council. Wednesday’s announcement is the latest one in a round of Skills Development Fund investments in the past few weeks. The Skills Development Fund was at the centre of controversy last year. Piccini faced severe criticism over how the $2.5-billion fund was allocated, as many successful grants were given to Ontario businesses that were backed by lobbyists, according to the the province’s Auditor General. Following the controversy, the Ontario government noted in Wednesday’s release that the projects are aligned with the auditor general’s 2025 recommendations. These include tracking long-term employment outcomes, requiring applicants to disclose the use of registered lobbyists, and “strengthening project selection through a more rigorous project screening, risk assessment, and evaluation process.” “Protecting Ontario’s health-care system starts with ensuring we have the skilled workforce needed to deliver care when people need it most,” said David Piccini, minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. With files from Jon Woodward
