The Government of Ontario has announced a landmark expansion of its Skills Development Fund (SDF), committing an additional $955 million over three years. This brings the total program value to $2.5 billion, a bold step toward protecting Ontario’s workforce and supporting economic growth amid growing uncertainty from U.S. tariffs and global market shifts.
The enhanced SDF includes two major streams of support, funded through the upcoming 2025 Ontario Budget:
$705 million in new funding
Supports workforce development for sectors facing trade-related disruption
Prioritizes workers in manufacturing, health care, and other vulnerable industries
Helps retrain those impacted by layoffs into high-demand fields
$150 million in new funding
Helps organizations build, retrofit, or expand training facilities
Increases the capacity and quality of skills training delivery across Ontario
Supports hands-on, real-world experience for jobseekers and apprentices
Combined with a $100 million injection earlier in 2025, this expansion reflects Ontario’s long-term commitment to safeguarding its labour force and preparing for future economic pressures.
Eligible applicants include:
Ontario-based employers
Non-profit organizations and Indigenous groups
Minister-approved non-college apprenticeship training delivery agents
Municipalities, hospitals, and district service boards
Professional, industry, or trade associations
Funding can be used for a wide range of training and infrastructure projects, including:
New construction of training facilities (with optional dormitories for trainees)
Renovations, repairs, and retrofits of existing facilities
Expansion or conversion of buildings for cross-functional or specialized training
Projects that enable real-life training environments and jobsite simulations
With this expansion, Ontario is taking a proactive stance to ensure that workers impacted by economic challenges are supported with relevant training, better jobs, and bigger paycheques.
GrantMatch offers strategic support to help your organization access this transformative funding opportunity:
Eligibility Assessment
Application Preparation & Submission
Program Alignment & Positioning
Post-Approval Compliance & Reporting
With a proven track record of securing government funding across Canada, our team is here to ensure your SDF application stands out and delivers results.
The 2025 Ontario Budget, which will formalize these investments is set for release on May 15, 2025. Organizations planning to apply should begin preparing now.
Let’s protect Ontario’s workforce together.
Contact GrantMatch today to discuss your project and confirm your eligibility.