Premier stops in Lincoln with $2.9 million cheque to boost youth in tech training

On a whistle-stop tour to Niagara Falls for the ground-breaking of the new South Niagara Hospital this morning (July 18), Premier Doug Ford pulled into Lincoln first carrying a pretty hefty $2.9 million cheque.

The recipient was the town’s Youth Skills Studio, which prepares people under the age of 30 for the future of work with a four-month paid training program and connections to 75 small and medium-sized businesses hiring in high-tech, manufacturing, hospitality, tourism, and other critical sectors.

That cheque is aimed at helping 250 young people in the Niagara region train for meaningful and well-paying careers in the technology sector.

“This investment will give youth in the Niagara region the skills they need to start or advance their careers in growing industries,” said Ford. “Right across the province, we’re connecting young people to the jobs of the future and businesses to the skilled workforce they need to grow and expand.”

Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton thanked the province for its support of the Youth Skills Studio, noting, “This investment is a win-win for our community members who will gain valuable training here in Lincoln, and for our businesses across key sectors who will benefit from workforce development initiatives to bolster our growing economy.”

Participants will have the chance to work on real-world projects and business cases submitted by employers in the community. They will be paid $18/hour for the duration of the training and work and be reimbursed for transportation costs.