Skills Ontario receives $3.5M from province to promote skilled trades

The government of Ontario is investing $3.5 million in Skills Ontario to promote the skilled trades during the 2020-2021 school year to students, educators and parents.

Earlier this year, the province announced an additional $1.5 million for outreach and promotion of the trades, amounting to a total investment of $5 million.

“As Ontario carefully reopens, the skilled trades are an essential part of the recovery and future of our economy,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development at the Skills Ontario Virtual Skills Summit, held Jul. 6.

“We need to continue to promote the skilled trades to young people to give them access to jobs that are fulfilling, meaningful, and well-paid, and to keep the many industries that depend on skilled trades thriving.”

For over 30 years, Skills Ontario has offered initiatives to bring experiential learning and mentorship together. In an effort to encourage youth all across the province to consider the pathways in the skilled trades and technologies, Skills Ontario organizes workshops, events, and activities.

Skills Ontario also offers specialized programs for young women and First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth in an effort to build and support a strong and diverse skilled workforce.