TORONTO – The Ontario government has established Skilled Trades Ontario, the latest thrust of the province’s Skilled Trades Strategy to address the growing labour shortage in manufacturing, construction and other industries.

Skilled Trades Ontario, a new Crown agency, was launched to improve trades and simplify services. The agency will be responsible for promoting and marketing the trades, developing contemporary training and curriculum standards, and providing a streamlined experience for tradespeople. The ultimate goal is to prepare more workers for in-demand jobs in 144 trades, including cabinetmaking.

“We’re redrawing the system to address Ontario’s labour shortage and make the trades a career of choice for more people,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “The skilled trades provide well-paying and rewarding careers that are vital for our economy. By creating this new agency, we are working for workers and delivering the generational change that labour leaders and employers have been calling for.”

Skilled Trades Ontario replaces the Ontario College of Trades. Its website includes new online services to help apprentices more easily manage their careers in one place from scheduling classes and exams to submitting forms, paying fees and more. It is estimated that the new portal will reduce processing and registration times for applicants from 60 days to 12 days.

Last November, Ontario announced it would invest an additional $90 million over three years to promote the skilled trades to young people. Plans include launching a marketing program aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding the trades and encouraging employers to hire more apprentices.

View the latest skilled trades promotional video and learn more about Skilled Trades Ontario.