Empowering the professionals of tomorrow

By Emma Peterson. 

How Skills Ontario is helping youth find pathways into the skilled trades and technologies. 

Since 1989, Skills Ontario has proudly partnered with colleges, school boards, small businesses, labour groups, governments and more to encourage young people to explore and develop skills in the trades and technologies. Not only does this help the next generation find meaningful employment and career paths, but it also helps support growing industry sectors like construction, infrastructure, technology innovation and hospitality services. Overall, their mission is to “empower youth to discover, explore and choose skilled trades and technologies.” 

What does pursuing that mission look like? For one, it’s a variety of programs such as the:  

• Young Women’s Initiatives: Throughout the year, Skills Ontario hosts a collection of “engaging and hands-on events and programs that provide skills development and mentorship opportunities to young women.” These range from skills trade and tech days to conferences and beyond.  
• First Nations, Métis and Inuit Initiatives: This program takes special care to connect First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth with mentors, culture and career opportunities such as a trade and tech summit, workshops, camps and conferences. 
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives: With this initiative, Skills Ontario works to ensure that youth of all backgrounds have support and education programs that are accessible and inclusive of them to set them up to pursue careers and build a diverse and inclusive skilled workforce.  
• Trades and Tech Truck: With this program, Skills Ontario hits the road with a truck full of activities and simulators. The goal is to meet youths 12 and older where they are and engage them with skilled trades and technologies such as electrics, pneumatics, welding, 3D Printing, cake decorating, hair styling and more. 
• Trades and Tech Summer Camps: These camps invite youth entering Grades 7-9 the following school year to explore “skilled trades and technologies careers, which includes the construction, industrial, motive power, service and technology sectors.”  

In addition to these programs, Skills Ontario pursues their mission by helping students on the journey to the national stage! This journey starts with in-school presentations across Ontario and culminates in a team going to Canada’s largest skills competition – the Skills Canada National Competition! This contest is an annual event and each year Skills Ontario puts together a talented team that makes Ontario proud by showcasing the incredible talent and hard work of the city’s next generation.  

Learn more about Skills Ontario.