September 3, 2025
The funding announcement was made at Landscape Ontario's home office in Milton, Ont., on Sept. 2.
Ontario announces funding to support training of skilled landscape and horticulture professionals
Government investing $3 million in the GROW and Apprenticeship Programs
In partnership with Landscape Ontario, the GROW and Apprenticeship Programs will benefit by recruiting and registering 150 job seekers, 280 incumbent workers and apprentices and 100 employers. Beyond training, the program will promote industry career pathways to local students and workers, helping raise awareness about the trades and support long-term career development in our region.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is protecting Ontario by investing in the tools, training, and resources needed to keep our workforce strong,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Through targeted funding, we’re strengthening our supply chains, growing a job-ready workforce, and building the foundation for a more self-reliant and productive province — one that can compete, deliver, and win.”
“Today’s announcement recognizes the incredible work that Landscape Ontario is doing right here in Wellington-Halton Hills to train a skilled workforce to help ensure that Ontario is able to weather this tariff storm and come out even stronger," said Joseph Racinsky, MPP of Wellington-Halton Hills. I am proud that our government under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford is here to support that great work.”
“Ontario’s landscape horticulture trades is facing unprecedented demand and a growing shortage of skilled workers. This investment will allow Landscape Ontario to continue to deliver meaningful training opportunities, connect more people to rewarding careers, and secure the future of our trade to build a greener, more sustainable province,” said Landscape Ontario executive director, Joe Salemi.
The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is open to a wide range of applicants, including employers, industry associations, labour unions, hospitals and many more.
Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find good-paying and fulfilling careers close to home.
Quick facts
- The Skills Development Fund Training Stream has supported over 1,000 training projects across the province so far.
- Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has aimed to help over 700,000 workers train for in-demand sectors, including over 154,000 construction workers, over 124,000 manufacturing workers and over 52,000 personal support workers and health care workers.
- People interested in participating in the programs announced today are encouraged to contact the lead organizations of the projects directly.
- The Skills Development Fund Training Stream is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
- As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the Ontario government is investing an additional $1 billion through SDF to grow the trades workforce and build Ontario, bringing Ontario’s total investment in the SDF to $2.5 billion.