Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Ontario Investing $10.9 Million to Strengthen the Health-Care Workforce
Skills Development Fund investments will prepare nearly 2,000 workers and jobseekers across Ontario for in-demand careers in the health-care sector
The Ontario government is supporting workers’ training and upskilling through the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund Training Stream. Through an investment of more than $10.9 million across ten training projects, Ontario aims to help nearly 2,000 workers and jobseekers access training and prepare for rewarding, in-demand careers across Ontario’s health-care system. These projects will deliver specialized training, work placements, mentorship and career supports for nurses, personal support workers, medical laboratory technologists and other critical occupations that are needed to build a stronger workforce and ensure families have access to high-quality care when and where they need it.
"Protecting Ontario's health-care system starts with ensuring we have the skilled workforce needed to deliver care when people need it most," said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. "Through the Skills Development Fund, our government is creating more pathways into rewarding health-care careers while helping employers recruit the skilled professionals they need. Together, we're increasing access to care, strengthening our workforce and building a healthier, more resilient Ontario for generations to come."
Minister Piccini and Minister Quinn were joined by representatives from Scarborough Health Network (SHN), which is receiving $2,225,017 to train 110 people, including individuals from underrepresented and rural or remote communities, for careers as personal support workers, nurses and nurse practitioners. In partnership with Sir Sanford Fleming College, SHN will use an innovative Virtual Standardized Patient platform to provide hands-on learning, mentorship and accelerated training pathways that prepare participants for rewarding careers supporting patients in hospitals, long-term care in communities across Ontario.
“We are grateful to the Government of Ontario for this important investment in the future of our health-care workforce,” said David Graham, President and CEO of Scarborough Health Network. “Through the Skills Development Fund, the province is helping remove financial and practical barriers for learners while supporting innovative training that better prepares people for careers in health care. In partnership with Fleming College, Scarborough Health Network is proud to help build a stronger, more skilled workforce that can meet the needs of patients and communities across Ontario.”
Through SDF Training Stream Round 6, the Ontario government is also partnering with nine additional organizations to deliver training opportunities in communities across Ontario. Together, these projects will prepare more workers for in-demand health-care careers, ensuring employers have access to the skilled professionals needed to protect access to care today and for years to come.
"Since taking office, our government has taken historic action to strengthen Ontario's health-care workforce, including adding 100,000 new nurses and 20,000 new physicians,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Today's investment will ensure that thousands of future health-care workers, including nurses, personal support workers and medical laboratory technologists, receive an exceptional education and valuable hands-on experience."
The new SDF Training Stream Round 6 projects have been evaluated, selected and will be delivered through a strengthened program that aligns with recommendations from the Auditor General’s 2025 program review. These enhancements include:
- Tracking longer-term employment outcomes at three, six and 12 months to better measure success and improve program monitoring.
- Increasing transparency by requiring applications to disclose the use of registered lobbyists and consultants, with information verified against Ontario’s Lobbyists Registry.
- Strengthening project selection through a more rigorous project screening, risk assessment and evaluation process.
Above and beyond the Auditor General’s recommendations, the ministry also implemented new tools for risk management and due diligence, including analyzing individuals associated with applications, in addition to the organization.
The enhanced SDF Training Stream Round 6 is part of the government's plan to Protect Ontario by ensuring workers are prepared with the skills needed for in-demand careers. By investing in training and upskilling projects, the government is helping protect Ontario workers and communities by building the skilled workforce needed to stronger, more resilient communities.
“Access to incredible care starts with access to world-class training and education,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Through this investment, our government is equipping more future nurses, personal support workers and other health-care providers with the hands-on skills they need to care for our communities and protect Ontario.”
Quick Facts:
- Through Rounds 1-5, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has helped more than 100,000 participants find employment within sixty days of completing their program, supported more than 1,000 training projects and aimed to help over 700,000 workers train for in-demand sectors.
- Through Rounds 1-5, we have invested $48,361,505 in health-care projects to help 23,007 participants train for in-demand careers in the health-care sector.
- The SDF Training Stream Round 6 projects are delivered through a strengthened program that aligns with recommendations from the Auditor General’s 2025 program review. These enhancements include tracking longer-term employment outcomes at three, six and 12 months to better measure success and improved program monitoring. The government has also increased transparency by requiring applications to disclose the use of registered lobbyists and consultants, with information verified against Ontario’s Lobbyists Registry. Ontario has also strengthened project selection through a more rigorous project screening, risk assessment and evaluation process.
- People interested in participating in the projects announced today should contact the lead organizations directly.
- In May, the Ontario government announced $1.7 billion to fund 70,000 more seats for in-demand programs at publicly assisted colleges and universities, including health care. This is part of the government’s new long-term funding model, which will bring $6.4 billion to our colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes.
- Through Budget 2025, the Ontario government invested $56.8M to train 2,200 additional nurses at publicly assisted colleges and universities across the province.
- The Skills Development Fund Training Stream Round 6 is funded exclusively by the Government of Ontario.
Quotes:
"Health-care professionals are the pillars of quality care across Ontario. By investing in Scarborough Health Network’s Virtual Standardized Patient Platform, we are empowering the next generation of medical staff with state-of-the-art training. This initiative ensures that families throughout Scarborough have reliable access to skilled, world-class health care."
- Vijay Thanigasalam, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough – Rouge Park
"Congratulations to the ten organizations that have received funding through the Skills Development Fund, including Scarborough Health Network. The funding received by SHN will help individuals from underrepresented, rural, and remote communities pursue careers as personal support workers, nurses and nurse practitioners. Through its partnership with Sir Sanford Fleming College and the use of a Virtual Standardized Patient platform, participants will gain hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for careers supporting patient care in hospitals and long-term care facilities across Ontario."
- Dr. Raymond Cho, Member Provincial Parliament for Scarborough North
"This $10.9 million investment through the Skills Development Fund is another important step in strengthening Ontario’s health-care workforce. Our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is strengthening the services of better-quality care for seniors in Scarborough Centre and beyond. This $2.2 million will go along way in helping our community being stronger in close to home care services. I would like to thank Premier Ford and the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Minister David Piccini, for this initiative that would help Scarborough with the resources that trained staff needs to provide the most effective services to our seniors, underrepresented communities and communities at large so as to keep our residents with services close to home. This will reduce travelling time for treatment needed. For several years, Scarborough Centre was a forgotten place under the previous liberal government. I would like to thank our government for stepping up and providing more services right in Scarborough."
- David Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough Centre
"After decades of neglect by previous governments, under the leadership of Minister Piccini, our government is investing in our talented health-care workforce through the Skills Development Fund. I am pleased to see that SHN in Scarborough will receive more than $2.2 million to help 110 individuals start careers as personal support workers or nurses. This investment builds on the billions already committed to expanding health-care services, infrastructure, and staffing across Scarborough."
- Aris Babikian, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough – Agincourt
"Brain Changes Initiative is proud to partner with the Government of Ontario through the Skills Development Fund to strengthen the province's health-care workforce. Through Brainpower: Pathways to Neuro & Healthcare Careers, we will prepare job seekers for meaningful careers in neurorehabilitation and community health care while supporting employers with access to specialty trained, work ready talent. This investment will create sustainable pathways to employment, help health-care organizations meet workforce needs and improve the standard of care for those affected by brain injury."
- Matthew Galati, CEO & Founder of Brain Changes Initiative
"With generous support from Ontario's Skills Development Fund, Windmill Microlending is thrilled to be helping hundreds of internationally trained doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals to restart their careers and serve patients across our province."
- Claudia Hepburn, CEO of Windmill Microlending
"Every diagnosis, treatment plan and health screening depends on the expertise of our medical laboratory professionals. Thanks to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, this investment is an important step toward strengthening Ontario's medical laboratory workforce, helping more students complete their training and enter the profession, while supporting timely access to care for patients across the province."
- Michelle Hoad, CEO of the Medical Laboratory Professionals Association of Ontario
"WoundPedia is very pleased to receive Skills Development Funding through the Ministry of Labour, Training, Immigration and Skills Development. This will allow under-employed Nurse Practitioners to expand scope and employment opportunities advancing practice in skin and wound care. WoundPedia offers evidence-informed education to support interprofessional team-based care with a focus on dermatology, wound care, related infectious disease, vascular conditions and foot care. Our leadership in research drives continuous learning, knowledge translation and mobilization and builds evidence for improved patient outcomes. This funding is critical to advance these goals."
- Dr. R. Gary Sibbald, Founder & Executive Director of WoundPedia
"We are grateful to Premier Ford and to Minister David Piccini for taking steps to help address the ongoing health human resources crisis in Northern and rural Ontario, as well as the continued underemployment of internationally educated health-care professionals. With the support of the province and key partners and employers, IEHPs will receive tailored training, mentoring and employment pathways that will create immediate career outcomes and strengthen health-care access in Northern Ontario."
- Yara Damasceno, Interim President and CEO of Accessible Community Counselling and Employment Services (ACCES)
"Our people are our greatest strength, and this investment will help ensure they have the skills, support and resources needed to thrive in increasingly complex care environments. Through the Resilient Frontline project, we are strengthening workforce resilience, advancing culturally safe and trauma-informed practices and building a more connected, collaborative organization that is better equipped to serve our communities. We are grateful to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for supporting this important initiative and helping us create a sustainable foundation for workforce development across Durham Region."
- Diana Raymond-Watts, Interim Associate Vice President, Development, Communications & Fundraising at the Durham Community Health Centre
"The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) is honoured to receive support through the Skills Development Fund to develop an innovative medical isotope workforce project. Canada has long been a global leader in the production of isotopes, with Ontario at the heart of much of this success. Continuing this leadership will require a highly specialized workforce and training capacity that can keep pace with the sector’s continued growth. With this funding, the CNIC will work directly with employers and training institutions across the isotope supply chain to help ensure that Ontario has the talent needed to support its ambitious goal of doubling isotope production by 2030. We’re grateful to the Government of Ontario for investing in the people and skills that will carry our isotope leadership forward."
- Melody Greaves, Executive Director and VP of Government Relations at the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
"As Ontario builds the skilled workforce needed to support the largest nuclear expansion in North America and create 150,000 good-paying jobs, we are ensuring our world-leading medical isotope sector has the talent it needs to grow. We announced a plan to double isotope production by 2030, supported by a new investment to train over 2,350 workers to strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers across Ontario. We are harnessing Ontario's nuclear advantage to save lives from cancer and create good-paying jobs."
- Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines
"A strong and resilient health-care workforce is foundational to a strong and resilient Ontario. By ensuring workers and jobseekers are equipped with the skills and training needed to fuel in-demand careers, our government is safeguarding tomorrow’s economy while ensuring patients and families across all of Ontario stand to benefit from quality care."
- Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
"This investment will strengthen the capacity of Ontario’s health-care workforce by equipping staff with new skills, fostering collaboration and enhancing patient-centred care. By supporting health-care workers in Durham Region and across Ontario, we are helping protect access to high-quality care and building a stronger, more resilient health-care system for future generations."
- Peter Bethlenfalvy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Pickering – Uxbridge
Additional Resources:
Media Contacts:
Michel Figueredo
Minister's Office
michel.figueredo@ontario.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
mlitsdmedialine@ontario.ca
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