{"id":19994,"date":"2023-07-26T13:23:26","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:23:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/summer-2024-ontario-to-take-the-skilled-trades-on-a-massive-road-trip\/"},"modified":"2023-07-26T13:23:27","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:23:27","slug":"summer-2024-ontario-to-take-the-skilled-trades-on-a-massive-road-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/summer-2024-ontario-to-take-the-skilled-trades-on-a-massive-road-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer 2024: Ontario to take the skilled trades on a massive road trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ontario\u2019s fleet of Trades & Tech Trucks will bring the skilled trades to the next generation of workers. (Photo courtesy of Skills Ontario)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Ontario government is spending $5.4 million to design and build three mobile tech classrooms that will travel across the province and teach students and young people about the skilled trades.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis latest investment by the Government of Ontario into the Skills Ontario mobile tech units will provide the all-important initial exposure to our youth by bringing hands-on learning stations and leading-edge simulators directly to their doorstep,\u201d said Jonathan White of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers. \u201cThis is a wonderful initiative and a great investment into the future of the province.\u201d<\/p>\n

Built and operated by Skills Ontario, the classrooms will target the construction, industrial, automotive, and technology sectors, featuring hands-on learning stations and simulators for electrical systems, welding, crane operation, auto-painting, tire and brake work, heavy machinery, and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince rolling out our first Trades & Tech truck last year, our mobile classroom has provided thousands of students with hands-on learning experiences,\u201d said Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario. \u201cThis program ignites an awareness of opportunities in the skilled trades and tech field that inspires more young people to pursue these careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three, 12-m long Trades & Tech Trucks will travel across the province, providing students an opportunity to explore the skilled trades and speak with industry members, while learning about local training opportunities, colleges and employers. Over three years, the aim is to help nearly half a million people explore the skilled trades.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy 2025, one in five jobs in Ontario will be in the skilled trades. These are rewarding, well-paying careers that you can build a family and a life around,\u201d said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.<\/p>\n

The province helped launch the Trades & Tech Truck pilot program in 2022. The first truck reached over 40,000 students and young people, says the ministry, visiting more than 50 events across the province.<\/p>\n

These new mobile classrooms will be fully operational by the summer of 2024 and will accommodate 150,000 visitors a year.<\/p>\n

The project is funded through the government\u2019s Skills Development Fund, a $700+ million initiative that supports programs that connect jobseekers with skills and training.<\/p>\n

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www.skillsontario.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n