CCA welcomes federal investment in apprenticeship training
Team Canada Strong funding will expand training infrastructure, modernize equipment and support apprentice recruitment and progression toward certification.
OTTAWA, October 15, 2026 — The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) welcomes today’s announcement by Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli of more than $430 million over five years for apprenticeship training.
“Investing in our workforce is investing in Canada’s ability to build,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, President of CCA. “Helping more Canadians enter the trades, build their skills and stay in construction will strengthen our workforce and support the projects communities are counting on.”
Today’s investment is a welcome step toward expanding apprenticeship training capacity. As further programs under the government’s $8 billion Team Canada Strong commitment take shape, CCA sees an important opportunity to extend support to additional construction occupations essential to carrying Canada’s ambition.
Delivering Canada’s housing, infrastructure and defence priorities requires a workforce with a broad range of skills. Alongside certified tradespeople, construction depends on civil construction managers, estimators, site supervisors, labourers, and other professionals whose training may take place through college programs, specialized courses, or on the job. Supporting these occupations, while helping existing workers upgrade their skills, is essential to expanding the industry’s ability to deliver projects. Together, they deliver our homes, our hospitals, our rail networks, and our pipelines.
“For a small and medium-sized construction business, training support can help a crew learn to use new equipment, prepare an experienced worker to become a site supervisor, or build skills in new construction methods,” Gilbert added. “We look forward to working with government to ensure future investments support these different pathways and the full range of people it takes to build. Together, we can strengthen the workforce needed to achieve the Build Canada agenda and deliver lasting benefits for communities.”
For more information:
Anthony Valenti
Chief of Staff, President’s Office
Canadian Construction Association
613-236-9455
[email protected]
About CCA:
CCA represents more than 18,000 member firms drawn from 58 local and provincial integrated partner associations across Canada. CCA gives voice to the public policy, legal and standards development goals of contractors, suppliers and allied business professionals working in, or with, Canada’s institutional, commercial, industrial, civil and multi-residential construction industry.
The construction sector is one of Canada’s largest employers and a major contributor to the country’s economic success. The industry, 99.9 per cent of which is made up of small and medium enterprises, employs more than 1.6 million Canadians and contributes 7.3 per cent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product.