With more than 360,000 jobs going unfilled across our province, Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, while one in five Ontario jobs will be in the skilled trades by 2025.
That’s why our government is working for workers by launching career fairs this fall to prepare the next generation of students for rewarding and well-paying jobs in the skilled trades.
Level Up! is a series of dynamic, multi-day career fairs highlighting the 144 different skilled trades. The fairs will help deliver our ambitious Plan to Build, including 1.5 million homes by 2031.
For the first time, students in grades 7 to 12, will have the opportunity to learn about these trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities, while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers about these life-changing careers.
The first career fair kicks off October 25 to 27 in Mississauga, with subsequent fairs planned London (Nov 9-10), Sudbury (Nov 14-15), Ottawa (Nov 22-23), and Thunder Bay (Nov 29).
Grade 7 to 12 students interested in attending the career fairs can find out more by visiting the website and contacting their school’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) recruiter, a teacher or school guidance counsellor to register.
A virtual career fair is also on its way for anyone who cannot attend in person. More information on the virtual career fair will be provided in the coming weeks.
Additionally, as part of the government’s commitment to bring the province’s apprenticeship system into the 21st century, Skilled Trades Ontario (STO), a Crown Agency leading the transition to a simplified, modernized skilled trades and apprenticeship system, is introducing digital logbooks which allow apprentices to electronically track their progress, instead of carrying paper books.
This new online solution coincides with the launch of the agency’s official logo and branding, now on their website.