April 1, 2013 – The Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) announced a $20,000 donation to the Central Ontario Building Trades Hammer Heads program, saying it felt the donation would aide in its day-to-day operations. “The program, which offers at-risk youth an opportunity to become skilled in the construction trades, is important to building a strong, sustainable construction industry,” said OCS.

Delivered by the Central Ontario Building Trades and supported by several unionized training facilities around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the 12-week skills development programs offer skill- and employment-based training within the construction industry to youth from under-resourced neighbourhoods in the community. The program offers safety training in the construction industry, leadership and mentoring during progression in the program and a path to a work-based apprenticeship.

“The apprentices working in the Hammer Head program fill a great need in our industry,” said Sean Strickland, CEO of OCS. “Helping get at-risk youth employable skills will benefit them for a lifetime and lay the foundation for a stable life. Raising a family, becoming a productive member of society—are things all of these kids strive to do, and the Hammer Heads program allows them to achieve them.”

“We are grateful for the support we have received from the Ontario Construction Secretariat,” said James St. John, business manager of the Central Ontario Building Trades and director of the Hammer Heads program. “Our program enables participants to not only gain the experience and confidence necessary to successfully obtain an apprenticeship in the construction trades, but it is also a starting point for a meaningful career.”

The donation was announced at the 13th annual State of the Industry and Economic Conference last month in Toronto, Ont. READ our recap from the event here.