Promoting the Skilled Trades
Expanded youth training programs will encourage youth to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to get good jobs
Ontario is facing a looming crisis: There will soon be more jobs in the trades than people to fill them. Young people and their parents need to see the trades as a viable first option.
Our PC government recognizes the importance of attracting more young people into the trades. That’s why we are investing $43 million in expanded youth training programs to increase awareness of the trades and help young people gain the skills they need to pursue good careers. This includes:
- $5 million in Skills Ontario to increase awareness of the trades among grades 1-12 students (an additional $3.5 million on top of the $1.5 million announced for the 2019-20 school year)
- $17 million, an increase of $2.3 million, in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) to provide high school students with the opportunity to gain exposure to work in the skilled trades, and/or train as apprentices while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- $21 million in Ontario’s Pre-Apprenticeship Training program, giving students and graduates exposure to a variety of good jobs in the skilled trades.
The programs will help increase awareness and encourage youth to acquire the skills that will start them down the path to lifelong success while supporting Ontario’s economic recovery and future prosperity.
We also announced the appointment of three Youth Advisors to help attract more young people in the trades. These youth advisors will consider ways to make it easier to enter the trades.
Our province has come a long way through COVID-19 and we must continue to persevere for the people.