Ontario hoping to reach over 35,000 students through skilled trades career fairs

Ontario is hoping to entice more students to build careers in skilled trades through another round of career fairs.

The provincial government is expanding its Level Up! skilled trades career fairs to more cities this fall, introducing over 35,000 students to exciting, in-demand careers in the trades.

For the third year in a row, these fairs are helping find and inspire the next generation of workers to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools, and community infrastructure the province needs. This year, the fairs will also make stops at Barrie, Cobourg, Cornwall, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, North Bay, and South Porcupine (near Timmins). 

“Last year, we doubled our Level Up! Career Fairs, giving thousands of students, parents and teachers a glimpse into the rewarding careers in the skilled trades – and this year, our Level Up! Career Fairs are bigger than ever,” said David Piccini, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development.

“By expanding these career fairs to seven new cities across the province, we will be able to give over 35,000 students the chance to learn about the most cutting-edge, in-demand careers in the country, with interactive exhibits that offer safe, hands-on learning opportunities. I invite everyone to visit our career fairs, learn about the trades and help us build a better future.”

Ontario also recently announced it is investing $26 million to build a new training centre at Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) 183’s skilled trades training campus in Vaughan.

Level Up! skilled trades career fairs 

Level Up! is a series of dynamic, multi-day career fairs highlighting the 144 skilled trades, including automotive service technicians, boilermakers, and carpenters. Students in grades 7 to 12, as well as parents and young jobseekers, will have the opportunity to learn about these trades through interactive exhibitions and safe, hands-on activities while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers.

The fairs will run until the last week of November.

"At Skilled Trades Ontario, we're committed to showcasing the array of meaningful opportunities available in the skilled trades,” said Melissa Young, CEO and registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario “The Level Up! Career Fairs allow students the chance to engage directly with these professions, providing them with practical insights and experiences that can shape their future career paths. These fairs not only highlight the possibilities within the skilled trades but also play a crucial role in building the workforce Ontario needs for the future."

Grade 7 to 12 students interested in attending the career fairs are encouraged to contact their school board’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) recruiter, a teacher or school guidance counsellor to register.

Previously, the Ontario government announced an investment of over $6 million through the SDF to train more than 1,000 carpenters across the province.