Ontario is launching consultations on how to better support veterans and military spouses who are looking for work.
The province says it wants to hear from veterans, military families, employers, and those who work to support the military community about the barriers faced when looking for work.
A consultation paper says there are about 150,000 veterans in Ontario, with almost a third of them between the ages of 25 and 54, and an estimated 14,500 military spouses.
The consultations, which close December 27, come as Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and Northumberland South MPP David Piccini announced the government is investing $4.3 million in four training projects.
Piccini says these projects will help prepare 356 Canadian Armed Forces members to transition into well-paying careers in in-demand sectors like healthcare, skilled trades, software development, cyber security, and others.
Every year, 8,000 Canadian Armed Forces members are released from service.
The free programs will offer a variety of tailored supports, technical training, bootcamps, mentorship, apprenticeship referrals, and counselling to help them find good jobs.
The first project, led by True Patriot Love Foundation, will help 130 jobseekers land meaningful jobs in healthcare.
They will also be partnering with 40 Ontario employers from a variety of sectors to educate and inform them on the benefits of hiring veterans and best practices for reducing barriers to employment.
The other three projects are led by Coding for Veterans, Helmets to Hardhats and the Roland Gossage Foundation, benefitting 226 jobseekers.
They will offer a variety of tailored supports, technical training, bootcamps, mentorship, apprenticeship referrals and counselling and will focus on preparing veterans for lucrative careers in industries like software development, IT and construction.
The projects are funded through Ontario’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream.
(With files from the Canadian Press)
