Breaking down barriers in construction
Many apprentices like Emmanuel are trying hard to get into the construction industry, but they face many barriers. A pilot program is helping break down those barriers by leveraging the Region of Waterloo’s affordable housing projects.
We caught up with Emmanuel on Kingscourt Drive in Waterloo, where the Region of Waterloo is building 73 new affordable units. Here is his story:
Underrepresented groups in construction include women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, newcomers, people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, veterans, racialized people, and Ontario Works recipients.
The Region of Waterloo is using this new Community Benefits Program to offer up to 1,500 hours of work on this site for people needing construction experience. Visit the Region’s website if you need support finding employment or gaining access to training.