Skills Development Fund Training Stream

Overview of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream program:

The Skills Development Fund (SDF) – Training Stream is a government initiative aimed at addressing Ontario’s evolving labour market needs through fast, responsive, and demand-driven training solutions. Managed by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), the program funds projects that deliver training to jobseekers and workers to support their entry or advancement in in-demand jobs across various sectors. The Training Stream is focused on closing skills gaps, accelerating workforce entry, and helping employers access the talent they need. Funding supports short-duration programs that are collaborative, employer-driven, and capable of being scaled or replicated across Ontario. Projects must demonstrate outcomes such as job placements, apprenticeships, or enhanced employability for underrepresented groups. The fund targets a wide range of delivery partners including Indigenous centers, unions, colleges, non-profits, industry associations, and employers. It prioritizes equity-deserving groups (e.g., Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, newcomers, women in trades, persons with disabilities), as well as sectors facing acute labour shortages (healthcare, construction, technology, manufacturing, skilled trades). Eligible projects may include hands-on training, sector-specific upskilling, on-the-job learning, micro-credentials, wraparound supports (e.g., childcare, mental health), and tailored training models for marginalized populations. Emphasis is placed on partnerships that demonstrate measurable economic impact, community collaboration, and clear links between training and job opportunities.

Benefits of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream program:

• Supports the design and delivery of short-term, employer-informed training programs
• Increases workforce participation of underrepresented and marginalized communities
• Addresses sector-specific labour shortages (e.g., health, skilled trades, tech, hospitality)
• Encourages scalable, replicable, and collaborative training solutions
• Provides wraparound supports to help participants overcome employment barriers
• Enables sector and regional training innovation in response to economic trends
• Encourages partnerships between training providers, industry, and community groups

Eligibility criteria of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream program:

• Eligible Applicants include:
• Employers (private sector and not-for-profit)
• Industry and sector associations
• Indigenous centers and organizations
• Post-secondary institutions and school boards
• Municipalities and workforce planning boards
• Unions and training delivery agents
• Non-profits and employment service providers
• Eligible Participants:
• Jobseekers and workers seeking new or upgraded skills
• Underrepresented groups (Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, women, youth, newcomers, people with disabilities)
• Workers in transition due to automation, economic shifts, or layoffs
• Applicants must:
• Demonstrate alignment with SDF priorities
• Show evidence of employer involvement
• Provide detailed outcome and impact metrics
• Ensure training leads to employment or skills advancement