Ontario has opened Round 6 of its Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream, allocating CA$260 million to new projects in health care, manufacturing, construction and emerging areas such as AI-enabled clinical systems. The call for proposals, announced on 29 July 2025, forms part of the province’s broader, multi-year commitment of CA$2.5 billion to workforce resilience.
Why the fund matters for tech firms
Rapid growth in AI, automation and digital health has tightened the labour market. The SDF targets those shortages by financing training that helps employers scale without poaching from the same limited talent pool. Since 2021 the programme has backed more than 1 000 projects and reached 700 000 workers, including 124 000 in manufacturing and 52 000 in health care. Earlier rounds funded CA$20 million in AI-for-public-health courses, demonstrating the scheme’s relevance to regulated tech work.
How to apply and what comes next
Employers, training providers, unions, hospitals, Indigenous agencies and community groups can apply through Transfer Payment Ontario until 1 October 2025. Successful proposals must show measurable impact, particularly in underserved or tech-adjacent sectors. Funding can support curriculum design, equipment purchases and wage subsidies for trainees.
For start-ups in data analytics, clean tech, health tech and cybersecurity, the scheme offers a route to build in-house skills rather than compete for scarce specialists. Partnering with eligible colleges or community organisations lets young firms tap provincial dollars to train the people they need—safeguarding growth while deepening Ontario’s talent base.
