{"id":21438,"date":"2023-09-01T10:23:41","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T17:23:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/ontario-doubling-career-fairs-on-site-magazine\/"},"modified":"2023-09-01T10:23:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T17:23:41","slug":"ontario-doubling-career-fairs-on-site-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/ontario-doubling-career-fairs-on-site-magazine\/","title":{"rendered":"Ontario doubling career fairs – On-Site Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

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(Photo courtesy of Ontario\u2019s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Ontario government is expanding its skilled trades career fairs program, setting a goal of reaching twice as many students as last year with the addition of more cities and more exhibitors. Now in its second year, the Level Up! program is a series of dynamic, multi-day career fairs highlighting the province\u2019s 144 skilled trades, from electricians to boilermakers.<\/p>\n

The aim, says the province, is to bridge a labour gap that will see Ontario in need of over 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade. New cities with career fairs this year are Hamilton, Windsor, Sault Ste. Marie, Oshawa and Dryden.<\/p>\n

\u201cChoosing the right career path can be a challenge for young people, and we\u2019re here to help,\u201d stated Melissa Young, CEO and registrar with Skilled Trades Ontario. \u201cThe Level Up! career fairs are a chance to try your hand at different trades, explore your passion, and learn about the pathways into a rewarding career. Skilled Trades Ontario is thrilled to be partnering with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development on this important initiative.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2022, almost 13,000 students, parents, friends and teachers visited the fairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year\u2019s career fairs were a phenomenal success, giving thousands of students and their families exposure to the many career opportunities in the skilled trades,\u201d said Premier Doug Ford. \u201cAs we make historic investments to build roads, transit, hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure, these expanded fairs will help us attract more young people into the trades and develop the skilled workforce our growing province needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

The fairs aim to reach more than 25,000 students in grades 7 to 12, as well as parents and jobseekers, giving them the opportunity to learn about these trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers.<\/p>\n

The first fair kicks off September 19 and 20 in Thunder Bay and will continue with fairs in communities across the province.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor far too long, parents and students have been told the only way to succeed in life is by going to university \u2013 this is simply not true,\u201d said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. \u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn an ever-changing global economy, we are seizing the opportunity to inspire students with hands-on learning in the skilled trades and increasing pathways to apprenticeship that better connect students to good-paying jobs,\u201d added Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education.<\/p>\n

In addition to the career fairs, the province has also earmarked $24 million for the Apprenticeship Capital Grant program in 2023-24, which will help 66 training institutions across Ontario upgrade training equipment and existing facilities that support hands-on learning for students and apprentices.<\/p>\n

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Career fairs are taking place in the following 10 communities:<\/p>\n

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