Mohawk College and the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) are joining forces to expand skilled trades training in Ontario as employers continue to face demand for qualified workers.
The two organizations have signed a memorandum of understanding focused on increasing training capacity and creating faster pathways into apprenticeships.
As part of the agreement, Mohawk College and CLAC will work together on the development of new classroom and laboratory space at CLAC’s facility in Grimsby.
The additional capacity is expected to help address the backlog of apprentices waiting for in-class training in high-demand Red Seal programs, including electrical, plumbing, welding and carpentry.
The proposed facility is currently at the preliminary design stage. The partners plan to begin the approvals process later this year, with construction expected to break ground in early 2027.
Training beyond the classroom
The partnership goes beyond expanding physical training facilities.
Mohawk College and CLAC will also explore opportunities to collaborate in applied research and workforce development, while examining emerging areas such as green construction, sustainable building methods and next-generation skilled trades education.
The organizations will work together to identify skills gaps across the trades and investigate accelerated learning pathways that could help apprentices enter the workforce more quickly.
They will also look at ways to incorporate emerging technologies into trades education, drawing on the practical knowledge and experience of workers in the field.
Paul Armstrong, president of Mohawk College, said the partnership demonstrates how educational institutions and labour organizations can work together to address urgent workforce challenges.
He said expanding access to hands-on apprenticeship training would help more people move into in-demand careers while strengthening the skilled workforce required for Ontario’s economic growth.
Ian DeWaard, provincial director of CLAC, said Ontario needs the expertise and capacity of its community colleges to support prospective tradespeople from across the province.
He said the partnership will strengthen efforts to prepare the next generation of skilled trades professionals by creating more accessible routes into well-paying careers where demand remains high.
With the planned Grimsby training facility and broader collaboration in workforce development, applied research and emerging construction technologies, Mohawk College and CLAC aim to strengthen Ontario’s skilled trades pipeline while responding directly to the labour needs of employers.
