Ninety million dollars will be invested over three years by the government of Ontario, to promote the skilled trades to young people.
Currently, the average age of people entering the trades is 29 and a third of tradespeople are nearing retirement.
“When you have a job in the skilled trades, you have a job for life,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
“Ontario’s trades are the backbone of our economy. More young people need to know that a job in the trades opens doors to bigger paycheques, with a pension and benefits. The trades can be their ticket to building a better life, strong family, and a stronger community for us all.”
Ontario estimates that as many as one in five jobs in Ontario will be in the skilled trades by 2025.
63 recruiters will visit 800 schools province wide, to encourage careers in the skilled trades.
“Our government is equipping students with the job and life skills that will help them gain access to meaningful and well-paid employment,” said Minister Lecce.
“We have introduced a new math curriculum that focuses on financial literacy, coding, and entrepreneurship, while expanding the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program so that young people have a direct pipeline to good jobs in the skilled trades.”
