GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO LAUNCHES MOBILE SKILL TRADES CLASSROOMS

$5.4 million will be invested by the Ontario government in building three mobile tech classrooms that will travel across the province and educate young students about skilled trades. The classrooms being built will be operated by Skills Ontario. The classrooms will provide hands on experience for young students interested in careers in skill trades. This opportunity for young students will give them the chance to experience 144 trades that are available to them. 

The three classrooms that will be named “Trades & Tech Trucks” will offer hands-on-learning as well as simulators for trades such as electrical systems, auto-painting, tire and brake work, crane operation, heavy machine operation, and many other trades. These innovative mobile classrooms will be offered to around half a million individuals that will be able to discover careers in skill trades.

The significance of this launch is to address the labour shortages and introduce individuals to the many skill trades affected by the shortage. By 2025, one in five careers are expected to be in skill trades and the Ontario government is finding a way to introduce the multiple job opportunities available to Ontario citizens. This launch will also play a vital role in delivering the provinces’ plan to build 1.5 million homes by 2031, meaning 100, 000 skill trade workers will be needed throughout the decade to reach that goal.

The government’s investment in these tech classes shows commitment in growing both diversity and inclusivity in the skill trades industry as there was a 28 percent increase in female apprentices in the last year. As the government has invested over a billion in the establishment of Skilled Trades Ontario, the rise of registration has shown a great increase. By taking these steps to promote skills trades in Ontario, high school students will be required to take one tech education course to aim bringing in at least 150,000 students in well-paying skill trade careers.

In order to shape the workforce and promote careers in skill trades, the Ontario government will give the opportunity to help discover career choices that may be life-changing to young individuals. The classroom will offer many training, interaction, and skilled trade opportunities to help students find a skilled trades career they may be interested in. This initiative is a significant step in building a prosperous future for the province and empowering skill trades for future generations.

Athisayaa Prabagar, Intern