Ontario Expands Skilled Trades Career Fairs for Students
The Ontario government is expanding its Level Up! skilled trades career fairs to include 15 cities this fall, aiming to introduce over 35,000 students to careers in the skilled trades. The new cities participating in the career fairs include Barrie, Cobourg, Cornwall, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, North Bay, and South Porcupine. The first fair is scheduled to begin on September 12 in Cobourg and will run for 12 weeks across various communities.
David Piccini, the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, stated that the expansion of these fairs is intended to provide students with insights into in-demand careers in the trades through interactive exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities. The fairs will feature 144 skilled trades, including automotive service technicians, boilermakers, and carpenters.
Additionally, the government has made it mandatory for students to earn at least one technological education credit in grades 9 or 10 to graduate. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase pathways to apprenticeship through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
The Level Up! Career Fairs are part of the government's strategy to grow Ontario's workforce by encouraging young people to consider careers in the skilled trades. The Skills Development Fund has reportedly helped nearly 600,000 individuals train or upskill for careers in various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and technology.
