Building on Construct Your Career! Successful Training Program Expanding into Haldimand

May 13, 2021
Young female construction worker talking on the phone.
St. Leonard's Community Services Employment Services is excited to announce that its successful Skills Advance Ontario – Construct Your Career program is expanding into Haldimand early this summer.  Prospective trades professionals in Haldimand can now access free training in construction and start building their industry experience. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply for the first cohorts of students, beginning June 21 and July 5.

"Our Construct Your Career program has already experienced great success in the Brantford market," says Malcolm Whyte, Director of Employment Services. "Over 75% of graduates are currently working full time in their chosen construction sector, including three graduates registered as an apprentice. We are excited to bring these same opportunities to the Haldimand community."

The 8-week training program includes a wide array of necessary programs and training needed to hit the ground running in the industry, including two weeks of essential skills training with Brant Skills, employment training with St. Leonard's Community Services, and six weeks of hands-on learning with Conestoga College. The entire program caps off with 2-week job placement with local construction employers.

Successful graduates of the Construct Your Career program receive the training and skills required to excel in the construction industry and obtain a college certificate in Construction Foundations from Conestoga College and certification in WHMIS, First Aid, Working at Heights, and more!

St. Leonard's Community Services offers various community support from Addiction & Mental Health and Employment to Housing and Justice. The Employment Services Centres located in Brantford, Caledonia, and Dunnville, help connect employers and members of our community. The Construct Your Career program is an excellent example of the employment and training opportunities for the respective communities. 

“My mission is to help more people get meaningful jobs in the skilled trades,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “Our government’s historic infrastructure investment means will we need more skilled trades workers than ever before. That is why we are investing in training programs that will help people prepare for these in-demand careers in their communities.”

Skills Advance Ontario is a government initiative that supports workforce development in identified key growth sectors. It funds partnerships that connect employers with the employment and training services required to recruit and advance workers with the right essential, technical, and employability skills. It also supports job seekers to obtain employment by providing them with sector-specific employment and training services and connecting them to the right employers. St. Leonard's Community Services Employment Services and Construct Your Career are Employment Ontario projects and are funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Interested community members are encouraged to register today!  Spots are limited and expected to fill up quickly for this excellent career-building opportunity launching in Haldimand on June 21 and July 5. More details on Construct Your Career can be found at Skills Advance Ontario - Construct Your Career.

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For more information, please contact:
Malcolm Whyte, Director of Employment Services, St. Leonard’s Community Services
Phone: (519) 756-7665 ext. 2406 mwhyte@st-leonards.com

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