NETCO Applauds Investments into Skilled Trade Workers and Electrification as Part of 2022 Federal Budget

LDS NETCO CNMIE 400

April 11, 2022

The National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO) is pleased with the direction of the 2022 budget with funding earmarked for labour and skills development and continued roll out of electrical vehicle infrastructure across the country.

NETCO Executive Director Chris Swick said these investments tie directly into the organizations mandate and we look forward to continuing the growth and implementation of our educational programs for the electrical industry as the country heads towards a net-zero future.

“We were very pleased to see the chain of funding budgeted through the Union Training and Innovation Program, (UTIP) said Swick.

NETCO has received funding from this program in the past which has supported their OASIS program. The Online Apprentice Support Initiative for Success (OASIS) fell under the Innovation in Apprenticeship Stream of the UTIP funding and has since enrolled apprentices across the country to complete various courses including areas such as green energy, mental health awareness, diversity, and inclusion.

“Many more courses are under development including energy storage, smart grids and some other exciting developments are currently in the works,” explained Swick. Each year, this new funding can help 3,500 apprentices from underrepresented groups begin and succeed in careers in the skilled trades through mentorship, career services, and job-matching which is paramount at this time with the shortage of these workers in Canada.

The budget also promises continued investment into building a national network of electric vehicle charging station, something NETCO is aligned with. NETCO holds the rights in Canada for the Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) which provides training and certification for electricians installing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). “Electrical vehicle demand in Canada is rising dramatically and so is the demand for infrastructure to support this,” said Swick.

NETCO has ramped up training in this program and just certified nearly 400 participants at our International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) training centres in Ontario. We look forward to mirroring this program at our affiliated training centres and with our partners, including the Canadian Electrical Contractors Association (CECA) across Canada soon to meet the rising demand for this skill and to emulate the success we had in Ontario.

Go HERE for more information on NETCO

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Siemens to Establish Global AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for Battery & EV Production in Canada

    Siemens to Establish Global AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for Battery & EV Production in Canada

    May 26, 2025 Siemens will invest CAD $150 million over five years to establish a Global AI Manufacturing Technologies Research and Development (R&D) Center for Battery Production in Canada. The new R&D center, located initially at Siemens Canada’s head office in Oakville, as well as in Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, will focus on developing cutting-edge AI manufacturing technologies with an initial emphasis… Read More…

  • Honda Postponing Ontario EV Supply Chain Investment by Two Years

    Honda Postponing Ontario EV Supply Chain Investment by Two Years

    May 26, 2025 Honda is postponing its plan to invest in a comprehensive EV supply chain in Ontario. The CBC reported that the investment is being push back by two years. “Due to the recent slowdown of the EV market, Honda Motor has announced an approximate two-year postponement of the comprehensive value chain investment project in Canada…. Read More…

  • Serge Leblanc Named Sonepar Canada Interim President

    Serge Leblanc Named Sonepar Canada Interim President

    May 26, 2025 George McClean, former President of Sonepar Canada, has decided to leave Sonepar for an opportunity outside of the electrical industry. Serge Leblanc, current President of Lumen Canada, has been appointed interim President of Sonepar Canada. Leblanc will manage both responsibilities until a successor is named.  Leblanc joined Lumen in 1997 and has… Read More…

  • Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen Head to Queens Park to Advocate for Safer, More Inclusive Job Sites

    Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen Head to Queens Park to Advocate for Safer, More Inclusive Job Sites

    May 26, 2025 On Monday, May 26, the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT), will host its first-ever Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park. Tradeswomen from across the province will gather to meet with Members of Provincial Parliament, including Minister of Labour David Piccini, to advocate for progress in the skilled trades for tradeswomen. OBCT’s top priorities include:… Read More…