Ontario doubling career fairs to help more young people enter skilled trades

Toronto – Students in grades 7 to 12 in several cities across Ontario will learn about exciting and in-demand careers close to home as the province doubles the number of skilled trades career fairs this fall.

Level Up! is a series of multi-day career fairs highlighting the 144 skilled trades, including food service, baking and hospitality. More than 25,000 students in grades 7 to 12, as well as parents and job seekers, will have the opportunity to learn about these trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers. The first fair kicks off Sept. 19 and 20 in Thunder Bay and will continue with fairs in other communities:

Sault Ste. Marie – September 27 and 28
Sudbury – October 3 and 4
Dryden – October 17
Hamilton – October 17 and 18
Windsor – October 25 and 26
London – November 1 and 2
Mississauga – November 15 and 16
Oshawa – November 21 and 22
Ottawa – November 28 and 29

“For far too long, parents and students have been told the only way to succeed in life is by going to university – this is simply not true,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “There are lucrative and purpose-driven careers waiting in the skilled trades where you can help build our province. Under Premier Doug Ford, we are giving more students the opportunity to learn about the life-changing careers in skilled trades that come with defined pensions and benefits.”

Additionally, Ontario is spending $24 million for 2023-24 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant program, helping 66 training institutions across Ontario upgrade their training equipment and existing facilities that support hands-on learning for students and apprentices.

Last month, the government announced apprenticeship registration increased by 24 per cent in the last year – from 21,971 to 27,319 – as more people joined the skilled trades.

For more information, visit the Level Up! website.