Through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), the Ontario government is investing nearly $6 million to support 14 innovative projects to help the next generation find opportunities in the province’s growing automotive sector.
These projects are part of OVIN’s Regional Future Workforce Program, which aims to introduce over 7,000 students to the auto sector and help them develop the skills needed to secure good-paying jobs across the supply chain.
“Careers in Ontario’s auto sector offer life-changing opportunities, with good pay, pensions and benefits,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government will continue to invest in innovative projects that help workers and job seekers get the skills they need to land better jobs with bigger paycheques in the auto industry.”
The Regional Future Workforce Program encourages students from kindergarten to post-secondary to pursue careers in the auto sector. Non-profit organizations, school boards and post-secondary institutions will receive up to $500,000 to lead eight-month-long automotive-focused programs to at least 500 students, particularly those from underrepresented groups. Each program is designed to address the unique needs of the region and the ages of the students. This includes play-based learning to introduce young children to the auto sector, manufacturing workshops with local automakers for high school students, and workshops on robotics and mining.
The 14 projects will be led by:
- Actua
- Georgian College
- K2i Academy, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
- Lambton College
- Laurentian University
- Mathstronauts
- Mohawk College, Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship
- Ontario Council for Technology Education
- Ontario Tech University
- Clair College
- University of Guelph
- University of Ottawa, Kanata North
- University of Toronto, Scarborough
- University of Waterloo
Investing in our future means investing in our students. Through the Regional Future Workforce program, Ontario is paving the way for the next generation to unlock their potential in the thriving automotive sector,” said Logan Kanapathi, MPP for Markham—Thornhill. “The automotive sector offers not just jobs, but lifelong passions and the chance to shape our future.”
Over the last two and a half years, Ontario has attracted over $25 billion in automotive and EV battery related investments, including a $7 billion investment from Volkswagen to build their first overseas EV battery manufacturing facility in St. Thomas.
“By investing in our workforce, we are driving innovation in the automotive sector and securing Ontario’s position as a leader in the industry,” said Paul Calandra, MPP for Markham—Stouffville. Strategic investments like the OVIN’s Regional Future Workforce program will empower the next generation with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.”
OVIN aims to be the global leader in accelerating the development, testing, commercialization and deployment of the next generation of electric, connected, and autonomous vehicle and mobility technologies. The initiative is led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation with support from the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
Photo: The Ontario government is investing nearly $6 million to support 14 innovative projects to help the next generation find opportunities in the province’s growing automotive sector.
