David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
Ontario has introduced new initiatives to help Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, veterans, and their families transition smoothly into civilian jobs, particularly in skilled trades and tech sectors.
Under the Honouring Veterans Act, 2024, military credentials will be streamlined for faster civilian recognition, helping veterans enter careers more easily. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development explains how this benefits military-trained technicians.
Minister Piccini, pointed out that CAF families need this support as well and will be eligible for the program.
The province has pledged $2.4 million through the Skills Development Fund to offer free tech and cybersecurity training, while Skilled Trades Ontario now recognizes nine trades with guaranteed pathways. Legislation also mandates a 30-day assessment period for credential equivalency.
Additionally, programs such as Helmets to Hard Hats and Coding for Veterans help both veterans and their spouses find stable careers. Minister Piccini commented on a recent success story.
With multi-year funding and strong government support, these programs aim to ease employment transitions for military families, honoring their service and sacrifices.
(Jeremy Hall)