Ontario Streamlining Pathways for Veterans into Skilled Trades

NEWS: The Ontario government is making it easier for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, their spouses, and veterans to start careers in the skilled trades. Additionally, Ontario is also investing $2.4 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to provide free training for CAF members and veterans in tech and cybersecurity careers. Ontario recognizes the unique challenges faced by Veterans and their families as they return to civilian life, and we are proud to fulfill our social contract with them to ensure they have fulfilling careers to start when their military service is complete. These initiatives are among a suite of proposals in the Honouring Veterans Act, 2024that if passed, would support and honour all veterans who have served our country.

Through the Skills Development Fund (SDF), free training for CAF members and veterans in tech and cybersecurity careers will include:

• Coding For Veterans: Over $1.9 million in Coding for Veterans, which will provide free online software development and cyber security upskilling for veterans and civilians for careers in Ontario’s tech industry, including software development, network security, and cybersecurity.
• Roland Gossage Foundation: Over $491,000 towards the Soldiers in Tech Project led by The Roland Gossage Foundation and training partner Lighthouse Labs, which will train veterans and their spouses for careers in tech with mentorship opportunities, as well as upskill active CAF members in fields such as cyber security, data analytics, data science and web development.

To learn more, visit: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005302/ontario-streamlining-pathways-for-veterans-into-skilled-trades