Local businesses benefit from apprenticeship funding

Staff

Ziibi Anishinabe Investments Inc. was one of several businesses in the Rainy River district to benefit from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund grants, in a recent round of investments.

The economic development arm of Rainy River First Nations was awarded $36,239 to hire an Operations Analyst Intern to assist the CEO and CFO with the daily management of the Ziibi Group of Companies, including annual budget initiatives.

The Ontario government is providing more than $1.2 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for 45 job placement opportunities in Kenora—Rainy River. This investment will help businesses expand operations and grow Northern Ontario’s workforce.

“Through the NOHFC, our government is focused on creating highly skilled, good-paying jobs that will boost economic growth and prosperity and help businesses harness local talent in the Northwest,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora—Rainy River. “Together with our northern partners, we are building on-the-job career development opportunities and addressing skilled labour shortages right here in Kenora—Rainy River.”

Other internship projects receiving NOHFC funding in the Rainy River District include:

The Sharp Group received $5,137 to put towards the hiring of an Equipment Operator.

JD Plumbing Solutions received $62,192 for the hiring of two second year plumbing apprentices.

Jay’s Auto received $23,920 to assist int he hiring of an apprentice mechanic.

The Window and Door Store received $9,740 to offset the cost of an accounting and marketing assistant.

Couchiching First Nation received $33,906 towards the hire of a maintenance Level 2 Apprentice.

The Fort Frances Times received $4,535 to offset the cost of a Commercial Graphic Designer.

John Gavel Custom Manufacturing received $12,296 towards the cost of a Gavel apprentice.

Jon-Paul Gordon Galbraith received $61,633 to assist int eh hiring on two Electrician Apprentices

Nor-West Animal Clinic received $51,428 to offset the cost of two Registered Veterinary Technicians.

The Rainy River District Regional Abattoir received $35,000 towards the hiring of a Team Lead.

Riley Stephen Caul received $23,920 towards the hiring of a Plumbing and Heating Apprentice.

Sigurdson. Construction received $28,943 towards the hiring of a Carpenter Apprentice.

The Township of Emo received $35,000 towards the cost of a Customer Services Clerk intern.

The Township of Sioux Narrows received $35000 towards the cost of a Trail Development Coordinator.

The Township of Morley received $35,000 towards the cost of a Clerk Intern.

The Ontario government is supporting local internships through the NOHFC’s People and Talent Program. The program supports a wide variety of internships, including skilled trades, and addresses the unique needs of other in-demand jobs. Program candidates include new entrants into the workforce, those transitioning to a new career, the unemployed and underemployed.

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects—big and small, rural and urban—that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $726 million in 6,128 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 9,500 jobs.

The Ontario government launched new and improved NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural northern communities and make it easier for more people and businesses to apply. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people and address the skilled labour shortage in the North.