Ontario Commits $10.9 Million To Train Internationally Educated Healthcare Workers

The Ontario government has announced an investment exceeding $10.9 million across ten training projects through the sixth round of its Skills Development Fund Training Stream. The initiative is designed to help nearly 2,000 workers and jobseekers access training and prepare for careers across the province’s healthcare system.

The projects will deliver specialized training, paid work placements, mentorship, and broader career supports for nurses, personal support workers, medical laboratory technologists, and other occupations considered critical to strengthening Ontario’s healthcare workforce.

Scarborough Health Network Among the Largest Recipients

Scarborough Health Network (SHN) is receiving $2,225,017 to train 110 people, including individuals from underrepresented, rural, and remote communities, for careers as personal support workers, nurses, and nurse practitioners. In partnership with Sir Sandford Fleming College, SHN plans to use a Virtual Standardized Patient platform to deliver hands-on learning, mentorship, and accelerated training pathways.

Nine additional organizations are also receiving funding under this round, delivering training opportunities in communities across the province as part of a coordinated effort to expand Ontario’s healthcare workforce pipeline.

A Direct Pathway for Internationally Trained Professionals

A central focus of the funded projects is supporting internationally educated nurses, doctors, and pharmacists specifically. Services include localized healthcare training aligned with Ontario’s care standards, licensing support to help navigate provincial regulatory requirements, mentorship from established professionals, and paid work placements that provide Canadian experience.

The initiative also includes support for Canadian healthcare workplace communication and relocation assistance to underserved areas, including Northern Ontario, directly addressing regional staffing shortages that have persisted across the province.

Part of a Broader Accountability Push

The new funding round has been structured to align with recommendations from the Auditor General’s 2025 program review, including a stronger emphasis on tracking longer-term employment outcomes at three, six, and twelve-month intervals to better measure program success over time.

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