Ottawa to fund paid placements in skilled trades at a cost of $880-million

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu speaks at an event at Hydro Ottawa earlier this month. Her government will spend $880-million to support the skilled trades through paid placements. Justin Tang/The Canadian Press

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says the federal government is putting $880-million behind a plan to get young workers paid, on-the-job experience in the skilled trades.

Starting early next year, young Canadians will be able to access paid job placements for up to four months to get hands-on experience before beginning an apprenticeship.