Innovative program launched in Barrie to address Ontario's skilled trades gap
A first-of-its-kind program offering three months of rigorous training in residential construction to 15 skilled trade workers who encountered employment obstacles will take place in Barrie to address a growing need across the province.
"In the next three years, we're going to have about 700,000 skilled tradespeople who are going to retire," said Matthew Seagrim, Meridian's chief digital and marketing officer. "And such a need for affordable housing."
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The program, Reframe, offers hands-on skill development, networking and paths to enhanced careers.
"There's so much offered in the program that you can hone in on," said Andrew Lariviere, one of the participants.
Upon completing the program, the participants will be "employment ready," according to Community Builders founder Brandon Day.
"They get tools through the program; they get safety certifications, PPE, everything they need to be successful in the trades," added Day.
A soft launch was held Monday morning at the Barrie Community Builders warehouse.
The program was made possible thanks to a partnership between Meridian Credit Union and Community Builders and a $250,000 Meridian for Good social impact grant.
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, who worked in skilled trades before shifting to politics, was in attendance. As was former Grey Cup champion, HGTV star, and Reframe ambassador Sebastian Clovis.
"What I love the most about building is you don't need a business card because your work speaks for you," explained Clovis. "If you do good work, you'll never be out of work."
The 15 participants are in the first of four cohort groups that will be trained in the Reframe program through the end of the year. At that point, the program will be re-evaluated to determine a possible return in 2025.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Upcoming GST relief causes confusion for some small Canadian businesses
A tax break for the holiday season will start this week, giving some Canadians relief on year-end shopping. But for small businesses, confusion around what applies for the GST relief has emerged.
Public support key but harder to keep as Canada Post strike drags on, experts say
Public support is key to the success of a strike, experts say, but as the Canada Post strike drags on, that support is likely getting harder to maintain.
Ontario mulls U.S. booze ban as Trump brushes off Ford's threat to cut electricity
Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol.
Canadian officials eyed 'new opportunities' no matter who won U.S. election: memos
As the U.S. presidential election loomed, Canadian officials envisioned new opportunities for co-operation with their southern neighbour on nuclear energy, supply chain security and carbon capture technologies — no matter who won the contest, newly released government memos show.
Man who set fires inside Calgary's municipal building lost testicle during arrest: ASIRT
Two Calgary police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in an incident that saw a suspect lose a testicle after being shot with an anti-riot weapon.
She took a DNA test for fun. Police used it to charge her grandmother with murder in a cold case
According to court documents, detectives reopened the cold case in 2017 and then worked with a forensics company to extract DNA from Baby Garnet's partial femur, before sending the results to Identifinders International.
Suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew barred from U.K.
A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew has been barred from the U.K. because of concerns he poses a threat to national security.
President Macron names centrist ally Bayrou as France's next prime minister
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named centrist ally Francois Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week.
Climate groups tried to spur action with a Taylor Swift ticket giveaway. Can it work?
Taylor Swift commands a legion of devotees, but among the thousands decked out in cowboy boots, friendship bracelets and glitter at her Canadian performances, one was not like the others.
Kitchener
-
Guelph’s bike repair lady finally catches a ‘brake’
A Guelph woman who fought city hall and won in a bid to keep operating a bicycle repair service out of her garage, which benefits charity, scored another victory Thursday night.
-
Conestoga College offering 160 employees early retirement
Conestoga College is looking to cut costs by offering 160 of its full-time employees an early retirement package.
-
Premier proposing legislation to clear encampments and target illegal drug use
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is proposing stronger legislation for breaking up encampments.
London
-
Snow winding down, cold air persists, milder temperatures incoming
Although we’re expecting snowsqualls to wind down on Friday afternoon, it’s going to be bitterly cold out there today.
-
St. Thomas police investigating suspicious death
The St. Thomas Police Service is investigating a suspicious death.
-
Highway 21 reopens from Amberley to Port Elgin
OPP have reopened Highway 21 from Amberley to Port Elgin.
Windsor
-
Windsor could get a helicopter to clamp down on border: Premier Ford
A lot of chatter in Queen's Park today concerning relations between Canada and the United States – from border security to fighting tariffs with more tariffs.
-
Shots fired in South Windsor, one injured
An investigation is underway after the Windsor Police Service said multiple shots were fired at a group of people in South Windsor.
-
'You lose that sense of hope': Windsorite describes what it is like to be forced from a homeless encampment
A Windsorite is describing what it is like to be forced from a homeless encampment.
Northern Ontario
-
Elliot Lake fire crews continue to battle massive apartment fire
Fire crews continue to battle an apartment building fire on Hirshhorn Avenue in Elliot Lake. Damage is extensive.
-
Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting
An employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa, Ont., was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning, the financial institution said in a statement.
-
Stabbing in wooded area of Sudbury results in attempted murder charge
Sudbury police have charged a man, 28, with attempted murder after a stabbing in wooded area off Leslie Street on Wednesday night.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
First group of internationally trained family doctors already making a difference in northern Ontario
With doctor shortages across the country, Ontario is tapping into the availability of internationally trained family physicians to solve part of the health care crisis.
-
Northern Ont. bank employee taken to hospital with serious injuries after shooting
An employee at Northern Credit Union in Wawa, Ont., was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a shooter entered the branch and opened fire Thursday morning, the financial institution said in a statement.
-
Snow squall warnings in the Sault Ste. Marie area, up to 50 cm expected by Friday
Snow squall warnings issued for the Sault Ste. Marie area off Lake Superior as 30 to 50 cm of snow is expected by Friday.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING Today is the CTV Morning Live Holiday Helpers Food Drive. Here's how you can help
Today is the annual CTV Morning Live Holiday Helpers Food Drive to support the Ottawa Food Bank and ensure that no family goes hungry this holiday season.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING 1 person killed in single-vehicle crash near Arnprior, Ont.
One person is dead after a single-vehicle crash on Highway 417 near Arnprior.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Dec. 13-15
Christmas market season continues, holiday lights light up several attractions and the Senators, 67's and Black Bears are home. CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend.
Toronto
-
What you need to know about the holiday tax break in Ontario
The GST/HST tax breaks go into effect on Saturday, meaning Ontarians can save up to 13 per cent on some items. Here's what you need to know.
-
Public support key but harder to keep as Canada Post strike drags on, experts say
Public support is key to the success of a strike, experts say, but as the Canada Post strike drags on, that support is likely getting harder to maintain.
-
Niche dog sport divided Doug Ford's caucus as expansion plan killed, then resurrected
A decision over whether to expand an obscure dog sport in Ontario sparked division within Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative caucus that saw the premier agree to cancel a new licensing regime before later resurrecting it, The Canadian Press has learned.
Montreal
-
Conservationists eager to see plan to save rare eastern wolf found in Quebec, Ontario
Gisele Benoit still gets goosebumps when she remembers the first time she saw a family of eastern wolves emerge from the forests of the Mauricie National Park under the backdrop of a rising moon.
-
Here are the weekend road closures in the Montreal area
Those planning on driving in and around Montreal this weekend should avoid certain sectors where construction is planned.
-
Rust scores hat trick, Penguins strike six times in third to win 9-2 over Canadiens
Bryan Rust scored a hat trick and added an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the Montreal Canadiens 9-2 on Thursday night.
Atlantic
-
Bass River, N.S., bridge partially collapses
A bridge in Bass River, N.S., partially collapsed on Wednesday. The wooden structure was under construction when one side gave way and fell into the river.
-
'It felt like someone had really long nails': Owl attacks Halifax runner on trail
An owl attacked a runner in a Halifax trail.
-
Upcoming GST relief causes confusion for some small Canadian businesses
A tax break for the holiday season will start this week, giving some Canadians relief on year-end shopping. But for small businesses, confusion around what applies for the GST relief has emerged.
Winnipeg
-
'I am a little anxious': Winnipeggers weigh in on proposed 5.95 per cent property tax hike
Winnipeggers are mulling over a nearly six per cent property tax hike.
-
Manitoba premier eyes list of possible retaliatory measures for U.S. tariffs
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says his government is preparing a list of potential retaliatory measures if the United States government imposes new tariffs on Canadian goods.
-
Zebra mussel larvae found in Assiniboine River
Dead zebra mussel larvae have been found in the Assiniboine River.
Calgary
-
‘Very odd’: Death of young Calgary woman remains a mystery: police
Calgary police are calling on the public to come forward with any information they may have following the death of a young woman found unconscious on a northeast pathway.
-
Water main break snarls traffic along northbound Crowchild Trail
A water main break during Thursday's evening rush hour brought motorists to a crawl on northbound Crowchild Trail in Calgary's southwest.
-
Man who set fires inside Calgary's municipal building lost testicle during arrest: ASIRT
Two Calgary police officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing in an incident that saw a suspect lose a testicle after being shot with an anti-riot weapon.
Edmonton
-
College remembers slain security guard as documents show criminal history of pair charged
A vigil was held Thursday at Norquest College for a security guard who was killed at an Edmonton apartment building last Friday.
-
Travis Vader, killer of Lyle and Marie McCann, denied day parole
The man who killed an Alberta couple in 2010 has been denied day parole.
-
Police warn public about a text messaging scam circulating in Alberta
Vermilion RCMP issued a warning to the public about a text message scam involving speeding violation tickets.
Regina
-
'We want to see some good hockey': Assiniboia rolls out red carpet for Red Wings after rink closure
The Weyburn Red Wings are carrying on with their season, despite their hometown rink being temporarily shuttered, thanks to the generosity of those in Assiniboia, Sask.
-
Sask. premier says collaboration needed to tackle border security and avoid Trump tariffs
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says an “all hands-on-deck approach” is needed to address border security concerns to avoid U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threat on products from Canada and Mexico.
-
Yorkton patient speaks out on city losing four doctors
A cattle farmer near Yorkton has spoken out about the shortage of doctors in the Yorkton region after losing her family physician in the area.
Saskatoon
-
'Gong show': Sask. emergency patients move into ambulatory unit at St. Paul's Hospital
The emergency department at St. Paul's Hospital is so full its turning to the ambulatory unit.
-
'Not even our project': Saskatoon city spends more than $5 million on homelessness with no provincial commitment
Saskatoon City Council held a special meeting Thursday morning to address homelessness years into the future, but frustration grew throughout the meeting as the province was absent from the conversation.
-
Prince Albert police release photo of suspect in family/grandparent scam
The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) is releasing a photo of a person of interest in connection with a family/grandparent emergency scam following multiple reports.
Vancouver
-
B.C. carjacking suspect sped across U.S. border before arrest, police say
Authorities have arrested a suspect who allegedly carjacked a pickup truck in B.C.'s Lower Mainland then sped across the U.S. border, triggering a massive police response.
-
Eby says 'nothing's off the table' in responding to Trump's tariff threats
From the merry-looking set of a movie, where he was making a film-industry-related announcement, Premier David Eby came out firing with B.C.'s potential response to massive tarrifs threatened by Donald Trump.
-
5 injured after multi-vehicle crash on Hwy. 99 between Surrey, Delta
Five people were hospitalized following a serious multi-vehicle crash that closed Highway 99 between Surrey and Delta during the Thursday evening rush hour.
Vancouver Island
-
Eby says 'nothing's off the table' in responding to Trump's tariff threats
From the merry-looking set of a movie, where he was making a film-industry-related announcement, Premier David Eby came out firing with B.C.'s potential response to massive tarrifs threatened by Donald Trump.
-
Team Canada athletes counting down to Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler
In recent weeks, BC Place has hosted the Grey Cup and the biggest musical act on the planet – and soon, the opening ceremonies of the Invictus Games will take over the venue.
-
Video shows B.C. commercial truck driver stumbling through roadside sobriety check
New video sent to CTV News shows a commercial truck driver struggling to stay on his feet during a sobriety check Monday afternoon in Port Coquitlam after allegedly crashing into multiple parked cars.
