Category: Latest News

Three-year plan provides roadmap to address Ontario’s skilled labour shortage

In honour of National Skilled Trade and Technology Week, Skilled Trades Ontario released its much-anticipated strategic plan to drive growth in the skilled trades sector over the next three years. You can read the full plan here.   

The plan’s release aims to bring awareness to the growing demand for qualified skilled trades professionals across Ontario, while emphasizing the diverse career opportunities available in over 140 skilled trades.  

“National Skilled Trade and Technology Week is all about promoting the many career opportunities in the skilled trades and technology. As demand for skilled workers continues to rise, we need to invest in our workforce and find new ways to help employers adapt and grow,” said Melissa Young, CEO/Registrar, Skilled Trades Ontario. “I’m proud to present our first strategic plan, which prioritizes skills development, technological advancements, and workforce diversity to meet that goal. While ambitious, it sets out clear and measurable objectives that will set us on the path to success.”  

The plan includes four pillars to guide the agency’s vision over the next three years:  

1. 1. Supporting an innovative apprenticeship and certification model  
   2. Promoting and advancing the skilled trades  
   3. Facilitating research in the skilled trades  
   4. Building a diverse, equitable, inclusive skilled trades sector  

“Ontario needs 100,000 more skilled workers over the next decade to deliver on our government’s ambitious infrastructure plans, including building at least 1.5 million homes by 2031,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “We launched Skilled Trades Ontario to create more pathways and get people into the skilled trades faster.” 

Skilled Trades Ontario launched the framework of the strategic plan at its first industry summit on apprenticeship in May 2023. Over 250 industry leaders, educators, and apprentices were invited to provide their feedback on the areas of focus.   

“As a 309A Electrical Apprentice, I am proud to have contributed feedback to the Skilled Trades Ontario strategic plan,” said Dee Durant, 309A Electrical Apprentice, Construction and Maintenance. “This plan illustrates the ongoing efforts to meet the needs of Ontario’s apprentices, and I look forward to the positive effect it will have on the skilled trades industry.”  

The agency’s strategic plan considers broader political, economic, social and technological trends that continue to impact Ontario’s skilled trades including the pandemic, infrastructure investments, diversity in the skilled trades and immigration and retirement trends.   

“The future of Ontario’s skilled trades rests on the shoulders of the next generation,” said Melissa Young, CEO/Registrar, Skilled Trades Ontario. “With the support of our partners, we are confident that our strategic plan will create opportunities for current and future skilled trades professionals, and ultimately, narrow the labour gap.”    

Read Skilled Trades Ontario’s strategic plan (2023-2026).  

 Quick Facts   

• Skilled Trades Ontario has released its first strategic plan online, which will guide the agency’s priorities from 2023-2026.  
• In May 2023, Skilled Trades Ontario presented the framework of the strategic plan at its first industry summit on apprenticeship to over 250 stakeholders for their input.  
• As it relates to the construction sector, retirements continue to outpace the recruitment of new entrants which contributes to ongoing labour market challenges for Ontario’s construction industry (Source: BuildForce Canada).  
• The three-year plan sets out clear and measurable goals to tackle Ontario’s skilled trades labour shortage.  

 

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About Skilled Trades Ontario
Skilled Trades Ontario is an agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario. Skilled Trades Ontario is dedicated to simplifying access to services for skilled trades professionals, promoting the skilled trades as a career of choice and addressing the labour shortage in the skilled trades, in partnership with government and industry.   

MEDIA CONTACTS
Media Relations
Skilled Trades Ontario
media@skilledtradesontario.ca

Plan shared with stakeholders for input at agency’s inaugural industry summit on apprenticeship

ETOBICOKE – Ontario’s skilled trades agency has unveiled a strategic framework that aims to shape the future of apprenticeship in the province. The framework was shared with over 250 industry leaders, educators, and apprentices for feedback at Skilled Trades Ontario’s first-ever industry summit on apprenticeship, held at the Toronto Congress Centre.

“The labour shortage is a critical challenge for Ontario – and it is more pressing now than ever before,” said Melissa Young, CEO/Registrar, Skilled Trades Ontario. “With one in five jobs predicted to be in the skilled trades by 2026, we need to take action to attract and inspire the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Our strategic plan will provide a clear roadmap for driving growth in the sector and positioning Ontario as a leader in apprenticeship.”

Skilled Trades Ontario’s new strategic framework is built on four pillars to guide the agency’s work over the next three years:

• Supporting an innovative apprenticeship and certification model
• Promoting and advancing the skilled trades
• Facilitating research in the skilled trades
• Building a diverse, equitable, inclusive skilled trades sector

The event featured remarks from Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Michael Sherrard, Board Chair, Skilled Trades Ontario, Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity and Dan Mills, Deputy Minister, New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour.

“The skilled trades industry is the backbone of our economy, and we need to prepare the next generation for these life-changing careers,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government has tasked Skilled Trades Ontario with a clear mandate to simplify the system and bring the skilled trades system in our province into the 21st century.”

Stakeholders were invited to provide their feedback into the pillars of the strategic plan throughout the day. Sessions included a fireside chat attended by apprentices, employers, educators, and labour organization representatives, as well as an interactive, facilitated workshop discussion.

Topics raised by event attendees included simplifying apprenticeship pathways, promoting the variety of career opportunities in the skilled trades, taking an informed, data-driven approach to decision-making, and the need to prioritize partnerships with equity-deserving communities, youth, and Indigenous peoples to improve diversity in the sector.

“Ontario is facing a significant challenge, and we recognize that we cannot overcome it alone,” said Melissa Young. “The insights we heard at our industry summit will impact the direction of our strategic plan for the better. We remain committed to working closely with our partners as we embark on our ambitious three-year plan to position Ontario as the number one destination for skilled trades professionals.”

Quick Facts

• Skilled Trades Ontario’ Strategic Plan 2023-2026 will be released this summer.
• Over 250 stakeholders attended Unleashing Ontario’s Potential, Skilled Trades Ontario’s inaugural industry summit on apprenticeship.
• To inform the framework of the plan, Skilled Trades Ontario conducted an environmental scan of comparable organizations across the country, various reports including the Skilled Trades Panel’s Phase 1 report, Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship’s strategic plan and direct stakeholder engagement.

 

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About Skilled Trades Ontario
Skilled Trades Ontario is an agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario. Skilled Trades Ontario is dedicated to simplifying access to services for skilled trades professionals, promoting the skilled trades as a career of choice and addressing the labour shortage in the skilled trades, in partnership with government and industry.   

MEDIA CONTACTS
Marisa Brennan
Manager, Corporate Communications
Skilled Trades Ontario
marisa.brennan@skilledtradesontario.ca

Skilled Trades Ontario accepting submissions to inform development of standards in 2023

TORONTO, ON – Skilled Trades Ontario is inviting subject matter experts to participate in developing standards and examinations to ensure they continue to meet the needs of industry, apprentices, and trades professionals in the province.

“Ontario is internationally recognized for providing top-tier training and certification standards, following best practices and relying on expert advice,” said Melissa Young, CEO/Registrar, Skilled Trades Ontario. “Today, we are building on that progress by inviting experts across the skilled trades to have their say as we work to ensure apprentices are trained to the highest standard and have the tools they need to succeed in today’s workforce.”

Standards Industry Advisory Committees will be responsible for providing support to Skilled Trades Ontario as the agency develops or updates standards and examinations. This could include reviewing examination content, skill competencies, and learning outcomes.

If selected, participants will have the opportunity to contribute their expertise through in-person or online workshops and online surveys.

“Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, which means when you have a career in the skilled trades, you have a career for life,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “To continue meeting the needs of employers and apprentices across Ontario, we must focus on attracting and training a new generation of skilled trades workers. These committees will ensure STO is developing standards that reflect what apprentices need to know, better preparing them for meaningful and well-paying careers.”

Skilled Trades Ontario is seeking experts working in their sector who have the following qualifications and skills:

• up-to-date, broad knowledge of their trade with specific technical knowledge or experience
• flexibility and commitment to dedicate time and energy to the task at hand
• unbiased attitude
• ability to support Skilled Trades Ontario’s Program Development Specialists
• responsiveness to requests
• communication skills

“George Brown College is a leading provider of apprenticeship and skilled trades training, helping the industry address and meet current labour shortages,” said Dr. Gervan Fearon, President of George Brown College. “Today’s announcement is an excellent step forward in ensuring all students in Ontario are trained at the highest levels and prepared for a rewarding career.”

Skilled Trades Ontario is committed to ensuring committee participants have diverse backgrounds and skills, including varying years of experience, areas of specialization and representation from regions across the province.

To express your interest, please complete the submission form on Skilled Trades Ontario’s website.

Quick Facts

• Standards Industry Advisory Committees will allow certified experts in a range of Ontario trades a chance to contribute their expertise as Skilled Trades Ontario develops and updates trade standards and exams.
• Skilled Trades Ontario plans to review standards for a wide range of Red Seal and Ontario trades this year, including (but not limited to) Automotive Service Technician, Brick Layer, Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer and Welder.
• The agency also plans to release a Strategic Plan this spring, which will inform further standards development activities in 2023.

 

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About Skilled Trades Ontario
Skilled Trades Ontario is an agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario. Skilled Trades Ontario is dedicated to simplifying access to services for skilled trades professionals, promoting the skilled trades as a career of choice and addressing the labour shortage in the skilled trades, in partnership with government and industry.   

MEDIA CONTACTS
Marisa Brennan
Manager, Corporate Communications
Skilled Trades Ontario
marisa.brennan@skilledtradesontario.ca

 

Province’s new agency announces updated training standards for apprentices and employers that better reflect industry needs and align with Red Seal standards.

SCARBOROUGH, January 19, 2023 – Skilled Trades Ontario (STO), Ontario’s agency responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification, is celebrating its one-year anniversary by updating training and curriculum standards. With one-quarter of all apprentices in Canada training in Ontario, STO is delivering on its mandate of increasing labour mobility and improving training standards for apprentices and skilled trades workers.

Since its launch last year, apprenticeship registrations increased by thousands in 2022 compared to 2021 and more than 13,000 students, parents, and teachers attended skilled trades career fairs aimed at attracting the province’s next generation of tradespeople.

“We’ve made great strides in our first year, and this is only the beginning,” said Melissa Young, CEO/Registrar, Skilled Trades Ontario. “From updating standards to moving more services online, Skilled Trades Ontario is removing barriers and setting apprentices, employers and skilled trades professionals on the path to success.”

STO is bringing Ontario’s skilled trades into the 21^st century, by releasing a one-window digital portal for apprentices to apply online, keep track of their training progress, pay fees and more, unveiling a bold new logo and visual identity, and introducing a digital logbook pilot which has allowed more than 100 new apprentices to now track their training progress completely online

“Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, which means when you have a career in the skilled trades, you have a career for life,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why our government is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to attract and train our next generation of apprentices and prepare them for the future.”

The new standards now in place and available on Skilled Trades Ontario’s website are for the horticultural technician, arborist and utility arborist trades. The changes include a revision of the horticultural technician on-the-job training standard to align with the Red Seal Occupational Standard and a structural refresh of the arborist and utility arborist curriculum content for better cohesion, giving apprentices additional time to learn theoretical content.

To further align with provincial and territorial Red Seal Standards, changes will also be coming to the program standards in 2023 of the three heavy equipment operator trades: tractor loader backhoe, excavator and dozer.

“As a leading educational facility in the trades, we know skilled trades provide fulfilling, well-paying and in-demand career paths that are essential to almost every part of our daily lives and critical for the future of our communities,” said Dr. Craig Stephenson, President and CEO of Centennial College. “The recently updated training and curriculum standards will undoubtedly strengthen students’ skills, enhance their employment options and ultimately set them up for even greater success.”

Quick Facts

• Skilled Trades Ontario plans to release its strategic plan this spring, outlining the agency’s priorities for the next three years. Trades and industry experts can express interest in providing input at brian.gibson@skilledtradesontario.ca
• By 2025, about one in five job openings in Ontario is projected to be in the skilled trades.
• There are over 140 skilled trades in Ontario.

 

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About Skilled Trades Ontario
Skilled Trades Ontario is an agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario. Skilled Trades Ontario is dedicated to simplifying access to services for skilled trades professionals, promoting the skilled trades as a career of choice and addressing the labour shortage in the skilled trades, in partnership with government and industry.   

MEDIA CONTACTS
Marisa Brennan
Manager, Corporate Communications
Skilled Trades Ontario
marisa.brennan@skilledtradesontario.ca

 

TORONTO, November 2, 2022 – Today, Skilled Trades Ontario CEO and Registrar Melissa Young issued the following statement on National Skilled Trade and Technology Week.

“National Skilled Trade and Technology Week provides Skilled Trades Ontario with a great opportunity to increase awareness of the more than 140 rewarding careers available in the skilled trades.

Far too many people across our province are unaware of the opportunities that are available to them in the trades.

Since launching in January, it has been our mission at Skilled Trades Ontario to introduce young people to the great paying, meaningful jobs an apprenticeship can offer them.

Our work has involved getting out there and bringing that message directly to young people.

Right now, we are travelling the province meeting with students, their parents and carers at the Level Up! Career Fairs which we are hosting alongside the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Our team will meet with over 15,000 young people over the next month, showing them first-hand the exciting and rewarding careers open to them in the trades and answering any burning questions that they and their parents may have.

We are also meeting with our partners in industry and education across Ontario. Working together, we will make our province the place where skilled trades professionals thrive.”

ABOUT SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO
Skilled Trades Ontario is the one-stop shop for opportunities in the skilled trades, and the promotion of rewarding careers which support Ontario’s economy.

This includes:

• establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards and certification exams
• managing Ontario’s participation in the Interprovincial Red Seal program
• assessing the experience and qualifications of individuals who have not completed an apprenticeship program in Ontario
• issuing Certificates of Qualification in all trades with certifying exams
• renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades
• maintaining a Public Register of people authorized to work in compulsory trades, and
• conducting research in relation to apprenticeship and the trades

Our mission is to support Ontario’s economic success as the central authority responsible for establishing leading-edge standards in the skilled trades to meet the opportunities of today and the challenges of tomorrow.

GREATER TORONTO AREA, October 18, 2022 – Today, Skilled Trades Ontario, the province’s new agency responsible for skilled trades certification, unveiled its official branding.

Skilled Trades Ontario revealed its new logo and tagline during a joint launch event with Melissa Young, CEO and Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario and Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development at Oriole Landscaping in Toronto.

The logo’s four coloured pillars represent the diversity of Ontario’s skilled trades and the many career opportunities they offer. The pillars also reach forward to a bright future for the skilled trades.

The tagline, “Opportunity in every skill” refers to the over 140 career paths available in the skilled trades.

“We’re working to show people that there is a skilled trade for nearly every passion,” said Melissa Young, CEO/Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario. “That means correcting misconceptions and promoting the many rewarding career opportunities in the skilled trades. We hope our brand will inspire current and future trades professionals as we work to make Ontario known as the place where skilled trades professionals thrive.”

In the coming weeks, Skilled Trades Ontario and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development will be hosting a series of career fairs across the province, aimed at promoting careers in the skilled trades to young people and parents. This tour will include stops in Mississauga, London, Sudbury, Ottawa and Thunder Bay.

“Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, which means when you have a job in the skilled trades, you have a job for life,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government launched STO to bring the skilled trades and apprenticeship system into the 21st century and prepare the next generation for meaningful and well-paying careers in the industry. This brand reflects that mission.”

To find out more about the work of Skilled Trades Ontario, please visit https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/

ABOUT SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO

Skilled Trades Ontario is the one-stop shop for opportunities in the skilled trades, and the promotion of rewarding careers which support Ontario’s economy.

This includes:

• establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards and certification exams
• managing Ontario’s participation in the Interprovincial Red Seal program
• assessing the experience and qualifications of individuals who have not completed an apprenticeship program in Ontario
• issuing Certificates of Qualification in all trades with certifying exams
• renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades
• maintaining a Public Register of people authorized to work in compulsory trades, and
• conducting research in relation to apprenticeship and the trades

Our mission is to support Ontario’s economic success as the central authority responsible for establishing leading-edge standards in the skilled trades to meet the opportunities of today and the challenges of tomorrow.

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MEDIA CONTACTS
Marisa Brennan
Manager, Corporate Communications
Skilled Trades Ontario
marisa.brennan@skilledtradesontario.ca