New Brunswick is investing over $95,000 in a short construction training program for 12 people facing job barriers.
Building Skills, Homes, and Futures
This initiative, supported by the WorkingNB through the Hammers 2 Homes program, an initiative of the Saint John Tool Library that aims to help those facing barriers to employment by providing them with practical and safety skills. The construction training program includes both classroom learning and hands-on experience on real construction sites, particularly in building affordable housing units. The program, delivered in partnership with NBCC Saint John campus, not only addresses the skill gap in the construction industry but also contributes to solving housing affordability issues in the region.
“Innovative initiatives like this one will not only help people learn valuable skills in the trades, but give them an opportunity to work full time,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Alyson Townsend.
The six-week construction training program will have participants develop safety and practical skills in the classroom before going to work on an actual job site where affordable housing units are under construction. This will support the creation of affordable housing units while providing the construction industry with new workers who will continue building new homes.
“We are so pleased WorkingNB is supporting this initiative,” said Brent Harris, executive director of the Saint John Tool Library.
The Saint John Tool Library is a community-based initiative in Saint John, New Brunswick, that provides affordable access to tools and equipment. This innovative resource allows members to borrow tools for home improvement, gardening, and various DIY projects, reducing the need for individual ownership of expensive or infrequently used items. Beyond just lending tools, the library also fosters a learning environment by hosting workshops and training sessions to enhance practical skills. The organization supports local community projects and initiatives, such as the Hammers 2 Homes program.
David Hickey, minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation said, “Programs like this one will help us get closer to our goal and create the conditions to help make New Brunswick the most competitive housing development market in Atlantic Canada.”
Participants, identified in partnership with the John Howard Society of New Brunswick, Fundy Region and the Coverdale Centre for Women, will be in training 30 hours per week and will be paid during their training.
