The marketing partnership will showcases Skilled Trades College of Canada within UFC’s live events hosted in Canada, including Pay-Per-Views and Fight Nights.
STC will receive brand integrations within UFC’s Canadian live events, including high visibility placement inside the octagon, and in-venue booth activations.
The college will begin activating its partnership with UFC during UFC 297: STRICKLAND vs. DU PLESSIS on Jan. 20 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
The Whole Story:
A new partnership is looking to land some heavy blows on skilled trades shortages in Canada.
Mixed martial arts organization UFC, and Skilled Trades College of Canada (STC) announced a new marketing partnership that showcases STC within UFC’s live events hosted in Canada, including Pay-Per-Views and Fight Nights.
“We’re thrilled to welcome STC as an official UFC partner,” said Grant Norris-Jones, executive vice president and head of global sponsorships, UFC & WWE. “Their mission of providing young people vocational training to create a foundation for meaningful careers is a cause we are proud to use our UFC platforms to promote and support.”
As an official partner of UFC, STC will receive brand integrations within UFC’s Canadian live events, including high visibility placement inside the octagon, and in-venue booth activations that will provide opportunities for in-person fan engagement. In addition, UFC and STC will collaborate on custom content that will be distributed through UFC’s Canadian digital and social channels.
The construction industry is like being in the Octagon – the best trainers and coaches make the difference between winning and losing.
Mike Di Donato, chief operating officer, Skilled Trades College
“To partner with UFC and serve as Presenting Partner of UFC 297 is incredibly exciting and meaningful to all of us at Skilled Trades College,” said Ralph Cerasuolo, president and CEO of Skilled Trades College. “For almost 20 years, Skilled Trades College of Canada has educated and trained people to be job ready in the skilled trades. Partnering with UFC reflects our shared values with an understanding that opportunities need to be earned and seized. Students at STC align with the qualities of grit, determination, and a work ethic that are necessary in the trades – and always visible inside the Octagon.”
STC noted that they are also launching the Building Champions Scholarship later this year which will unlock new opportunities for STC students. The initiative aims to grant a full scholarship to 12 students to use towards any STC pre-apprenticeship program.
“Like UFC, we are always looking to evolve and innovate, and we are so excited to collaborate on such a meaningful endeavor,” said Cerasuolo. “Together, we are unveiling a first-of-its-kind scholarship that will transform the lives of 12 youth with the Building Champions Scholarship.”
Additionally, STC will host two viewing parties in 2024. The viewing parties will feature silent auctions with all proceeds benefiting Steel Toe Careers, a registered nonprofit in Toronto that provides scholarships to young people to gain equitable access to education and hands-on skills training to pursue a career in the construction industry.
“The construction industry is like being in the Octagon – the best trainers and coaches make the difference between winning and losing,” said Mike Di Donato, chief operating officer, Skilled Trades College. “At STC we pride ourselves on providing the industry’s top training and employment services. We are excited to work with UFC on the Building Champions Scholarship, and having those winners be trained, job ready, and into meaningful employment.”
STC will begin activating its partnership with UFC during UFC 297: STRICKLAND vs. DU PLESSIS on Saturday, Jan. 20 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, where they will serve as the presenting sponsor. Returning to Toronto for the first time since 2018, the event will feature a world championship double header, headlined by a middleweight championship bout between Sean Strickland and No. 2 ranked contender Dricus Du Plessis. Also, a new women’s bantamweight champion will be crowned when No. 2 ranked contender Raquel Pennington battles Mayra Bueno Silva.
Participation in the skilled trades increased by 8% overall in B.C.
The biggest gains for underrepresented groups were women and Indigenous people, which increased 37% and 22%, respectively.
The province’s latest data shows 83,000 new job openings in the trades are expected in the next decade.
The Whole Story:
Apprenticeship in the skilled trades is on the rise in B.C.
SkilledTradesBC, a recently revamped organization that oversees the province, released its annual report, highlighting a record number of apprentices, youth, Indigenous people and women participating in the skilled trades in the province in 2022/2023 fiscal year.
“We are in a critical time to diversify and grow the skilled trades workforce in B.C. as we face a skilled labour shortage and anticipate 83,000 jobs in skilled trades over the next decade,” said Shelley Gray, CEO, SkilledTradesBC. “There is a place for everyone in skilled trades and we are excited to see a record number of diverse British Columbians exploring skilled trades as a means to support their families, build a successful career, and contribute to the communities that make this province our home.”
Highlights of the results released in SkilledTradesBC’s annual report include:
41,000 apprentices (+8%)
1,492 Indigenous people entering skilled trades (+ 22%)
1,072 women entering skilled trades (+ 37%)
10,018 youth participation in skilled trades enrollment (+14%)
Welder, carpenter and heavy equipment operator trades programs saw the largest increases amongst women and Indigenous people.
However, the organization did struggle with issuing credentials. The report noted that the economic shutdown and delays that occurred during the pandemic continued to impact the number of credentials being issued. The number of credentials issued to women and Indigenous people as well as overall number of certifications declined in the last year, resulting in the organization not meeting its performance goals.
Officials added that labour shortages have also created difficulties for apprentices and other trades workers to take time off to attend training and prepare to write their final exam.
In December 2022, SkilledTradesBC officially transitioned from Industry Training Authority to its new name, along with its expanded mandate from the Ministry of Post-Secondary and Future Skills (PSFS). SkilledTradesBC developed a new three-year strategic plan in response to the expanded mandate and Government’s principles and priorities.
The organization is also leading the implementation of Skilled Trades Certification, which was legislated in B.C. last december. The laws make it mandatory for workers to either be a registered apprentice or fully certified to work in specific trades, starting with the implementation of seven electrical and mechanical trades.
Officials say the Skilled Trades Certification aims to formally recognize the skills of current and future trades workers, raise the profile of the trades, and help to draw a more diverse workforce, ensuring they have the skillsets needed to adapt to industry changes over time.
SkilledTradesBC implemented customized supports to meet client needs, established a new Skilled Trades Certification Advisor team and expanded its Apprenticeship Advisor team.
Officials noted that B.C. has faced a tight labour market as it continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the B.C. Labour Market Outlook: 2022 Edition, approximately 83,000 new job openings in the trades are expected in the next decade, primarily due to the retiring workforce and economic expansion.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
The second year of Ontario’s skilled trades career fairs will have twice as many dates.
New cities with career fairs this year are Hamilton, Windsor, Sault Ste. Marie, Oshawa and Dryden.
Level Up! is a series of multi-day career fairs highlighting the 144 skilled trades, from electricians to boilermakers.
The Whole Story:
The Ontario government is expanding its skilled trades career fairs, now in its second year, to even more cities with more exhibitors and twice as many participating students. The new cities with career fairs this year are Hamilton, Windsor, Sault Ste. Marie, Oshawa and Dryden.
“Last year’s career fairs were a phenomenal success, giving thousands of students and their families exposure to the many career opportunities in the skilled trades,” said Premier Doug Ford. “As 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.”
Level Up! is a series of multi-day career fairs highlighting the 144 skilled trades, from electricians to boilermakers. Over 25,000 students in grades 7 to 12, as well as parents and jobseekers, will have the opportunity to learn about these trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers. The first fair kicks off Sept. 19 and 20 in Thunder Bay and will continue with fairs in communities across the province.
“For far too long, parents and students have been told the only way to succeed in life is by going to university – this is simply not true,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “There 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.”
“In 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,” said Stephen Lecce, minister of education. “Our priority is to keep students in stable and normal classrooms, benefiting from a focus on strengthening foundational skills on reading, writing, math. This is supported by expanded career fairs and a new mandatory requirement that all students take at least one technological education course starting next year, so that students graduate into fulfilling careers of the jobs of tomorrow.”
Additionally, Ontario is investing $24 million for 2023-24 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant program, helping 66 training institutions across Ontario upgrade their training equipment and existing facilities that support hands-on learning for students and apprentices.
Last month, the government announced apprenticeship registration increased by 24 per cent in the last year – from 21,971 to 27,319 – as more people joined the skilled trades, playing a role in building Ontario. This follows more than $1 billion investment in the skilled trades over three years, along with the launch of Skilled Trades Ontario, as part of its strategy to attract more people into the trades.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario is contributing $3.6 million towards several initiatives being led by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO).
The free programs will focus on increasing female participation, providing online training tools and exclusive employment opportunities to jobseekers.
The will also give grade 12 students a first-hand look at careers in construction.
The Whole Story:
The Ontario government has announced $3.6 million in funding to drive innovation in the construction trades sector and recruit more diverse tradespeople.
Spearheaded by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO), the initiatives are set to address the industry’s gender gap in the field by bolstering online training resources, offering exclusive employment avenues, and giving high school seniors a firsthand glimpse into construction careers.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government will continue to invest in training programs that spread life-changing opportunity to anyone who wants a hand up to a bigger paycheque and a better life,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “We are proud to support these new projects that help women and young people enter the trades and find purpose-driven careers.”
Women currently constitute less than 5% of the construction workforce in Ontario. This underrepresentation has prompted the inaugural PBCTCO project. It is expected to benefit 700 women in trades. The endeavor aims to empower these tradeswomen by equipping them with leadership, communication, health, safety training, and networking prospects imperative for propelling their careers forward. The project will also see the establishment of a speaker’s bureau, fostering partnerships between tradeswomen and educational institutions, employment agencies, trade expos, and various events across the province, thereby mentoring and attracting more women to the skilled trades.
“The support extended by the Government of Ontario to invest in and expand these three pivotal projects in collaboration with organized skilled trades and our employer partners is greatly valued,” said Marc Arsenault, business manager at PBCTCO. “While each project holds its unique significance, together they converge to empower the workforce of tomorrow and broaden opportunities within skilled trades for marginalized groups. This investment aligns with a data-driven strategy towards workforce development, set to generate avenues for Ontarians to embark on enriching careers that contribute to our province.”
The second initiative is slated to offer a digital gateway for 1,500 individuals to delve into a plethora of online resources and training tools, designed to facilitate exploration of various skilled trades, fostering core competencies and connecting aspirants with potential apprenticeship opportunities. Through this online platform, participants will be directly linked with local employers, streamlining their entry into the industry. Aspiring candidates keen on unraveling unionized career opportunities within the skilled trades can find more information by visiting www.ctaontario.ca/explore.
Further enhancing this transformative agenda, PBCTCO’s “Tomorrow’s Trades” program is set to make a return, inviting 60 grade 12 students from London and Ottawa to immerse themselves in hands-on learning experiences.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario announced it will spend $5.4 million to build and deploy three cutting-edge mobile tech classrooms.
The units will include hands-on stations and simulators the help young people experience welding , crane operation, electrical work and other trades.
The first Trades & Tech Truck was rolled out last year and reached around 40,000 people. The new trucks are expected to reach nearly 500,000.
The Whole Story:
Trades training is hitting the road in Ontario.
In a move to address the province’s labor shortage in the skilled trades sector, Ontario announced it will spend $5.4 million to build and deploy three cutting-edge mobile tech classrooms. These innovative classrooms, a collaborative effort with Skills Ontario, will traverse the province, imparting essential knowledge and practical skills to students and young individuals interested in pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
The mobile classrooms, named Trades & Tech Trucks, promise an immersive learning experience through hands-on stations and simulators, offering training opportunities in a diverse range of disciplines, including:
Electrical systems
Welding
Crane operation
Auto-painting
Tire and brake work
Heavy machinery
“By 2025, one in five jobs in Ontario will be in the skilled trades,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour. “These are rewarding, well-paying careers that you can build a family and a life around. That’s why our government will continue to invest in cutting-edge programs that give students the chance to experience the 144 trades and life-changing opportunities available to them.”
Experience a virtual tour of a Tech & Trades Truck. – Skilled Trades Ontario
The province is relying on tradespeople to help with its ambitious infrastructure plans that include constructing 1.5 million homes by 2031. To meet this goal, Ontario will require over 100,000 new skilled trades workers within the decade. The Trades & Tech Trucks, each measuring 12 meters in length, will serve as platforms for students to explore the skilled trades while engaging with industry professionals, discovering local training opportunities, colleges, and potential employers.
Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario, spoke about the impact of their existing mobile classroom program, saying: “Since rolling out our first Trades & Tech truck last year, our mobile classroom has provided thousands of students with hands-on learning experiences. This program ignites an awareness of opportunities in the skilled trades and tech field that inspires more young people to pursue these careers. We want to thank and recognize Minister McNaughton and Premier Ford for the leadership and investments they have provided to build the skilled workforce of tomorrow.”
The efforts by the Ontario government have already shown promising results, with a 24 percent surge in apprenticeship registrations in the past year alone. This increase, which includes a 28 percent jump among women, is attributed to the government’s significant investment of over $1 billion in the skilled trades sector over three years and the establishment of the dedicated agency, Skilled Trades Ontario.
On the education side, the province intends to go even further. Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, announced plans to make technology education courses mandatory for all high school students starting September 2024. The new mobile tech classrooms will further complement this initiative by supporting 150,000 students annually, equipping them with the critical skills needed to secure well-paying jobs and thrive in the competitive job market.
The Trades & Tech Truck program was launched as a pilot in 2022. It reached over 40,000 students and young people across more than 50 events throughout the province, from Toronto to Ottawa and Thunder Bay.
Funded through the government’s Skills Development Fund, the new mobile classrooms are set to be fully operational by the summer of 2024, welcoming an annual footfall of 150,000 visitors.
Key Takeaways:
The funds will go towards Skills Canada’s competitions program.
Skills Canada has delivered the Skills Canada National Competition across Canada over the past 29 years in over 40 skilled trades and technologies.
Skills Canada’s efforts focus on youth and underrepresented groups including women, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous people and racialized individuals.
The Whole Story:
Let the games begin.
The federal government will contribute more than $27 million over five years to Skills Canada under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy. The funding supports the organization’s efforts to engage youth in the skilled trades through competitions and career exploration.
“Young people want to help build Canada’s future,” said Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough. “With the nature of work changing fast, today’s investment will help young people develop the skills they need to take advantage of future career opportunities in the skilled trades.”
Skills Canada provides hands-on experience to youth and underrepresented groups including women, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous people and racialized individuals in the skilled trades and technology.
Skills Canada undertakes a number of promotional activities and events including Skills Canada provincial and territorial competitions, national competitions, WorldSkills competitions, and National Skilled Trades and Technology Week.
Each year, the Government of Canada invests nearly $1 billion in apprenticeship supports through grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training, project funding and support for the Red Seal program. Further to providing supports in the skilled trades, the Government of Canada is helping to increase awareness, through an advertising campaign promoting the skilled trades as a first-choice career option for young people.
Skills Canada has delivered the Skills Canada National Competition across Canada over the past 29 years in over 40 skilled trades and technologies. The 2023 Skills Canada National Competition, in Winnipeg, drew over 500 competitors and over 13,000 visitors.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
The scholarship is named after Jack Funk, who was a longtime Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia member and former president.
The funds will cover different regions in B.C.
Successful candidates will be selected by a panel.
The Whole Story:
Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC) and the Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia (ECABC) have jointly announced the establishment of the ECABC Jack Funk Scholarship, aimed at providing financial assistance to electrical apprentices in the province.
The scholarship serves as a tribute to the memory of Jack Funk who dedicated 45 years to running his electrical contracting business and served as president of ECABC between 1994 and 1996. The association stated that the scholarship reflects his commitment to training and supporting future generations of electrical apprentices and contractors.
Derek Fettback, Chair of ECABC and vice president of Western Pacific Enterprises, emphasized the significance of the scholarship in encouraging the next wave of electrical workers.
“Providing financial and educational support to electrical apprentices is a vital initiative by ECABC to foster the growth of the next generation,” said Fettback. “An electrical apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience, earn income, pursue education, and refine one’s skills.”
The scholarship is open to registered apprentices enrolled in years 1-4 of their electrical apprenticeship and employed by an ECABC contractor member. Eligible candidates must be receiving their electrical apprenticeship training from an approved training institution in British Columbia. Six individual scholarships, each worth $1,000, will be awarded as follows:
Three scholarships for electrical apprentices in Metro Vancouver
One scholarship for electrical apprentices on Vancouver Island
One scholarship for electrical apprentices in the Interior and Northern BC regions
One scholarship for a line technician apprentice
The selection process for the scholarships will involve a panel consisting of ECABC board members and staff. They will review applications and consider recommendations provided by the CFBC.
Matt MacInnis, ECABC President, emphasized the promising opportunities available for young individuals pursuing a career in the electrical trades. He highlighted the remarkable contributions made by ECABC members and their employees toward building a sustainable economy. These contributions include constructing new hospitals, developing clean energy projects, supporting the creation of new homes, and installing the necessary infrastructure for electric vehicles.
“There has never been a better time for young people to pursue a career in the electrical trades,” said Matt MacInnis, ECABC President. “ECABC’s members and their employees are making remarkable contributions to building BC’s sustainable future – from constructing new hospitals, to building world-class clean energy projects, to supporting the creation of new homes, and installing the infrastructure needed to power electric vehicles.”
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario will spend $224M to build and upgrade trades training centres.
The fund will be available to unions, Indigenous centres, and industry associations.
Officials will also spend $535,000 to launch two innovative projects that will expand apprenticeship opportunities to future boilermakers in Northern Ontario.
The Whole Story:
Ontario is launching a new fund build and upgrade skilled trades training centres.
The province believes the $224 million fund will help tackle its historic labour shortage.
Applications for the new Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream open on June 30. It will help unions, Indigenous centres, and industry associations with funding to build new training centres, or upgrade and convert existing facilities into new training centres with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
“This new program will help boost the province’s training infrastructure, providing more people opportunities to learn new skills and advance their careers into good-paying, in-demand jobs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’re taking the steps needed to create a bigger pipeline of talent to ensure we continue to have the best workforce in the world to keep attracting investments and to build Ontario.”
According to the province, roughly 300,000 jobs are going unfilled in Ontario each day, costing the province billions in lost productivity. The new capital stream will be open to a wide range of applicants in in-demand industries and support facility expansions, renovations, repairs and retrofits, and new building construction. Officials expected these improved training centres to help more than one million workers get the training.
“Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, and our government is on a mission to help workers train for the well-paying jobs we know are available,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “We will continue to invest in innovative training programs and ground-breaking infrastructure to prepare jobseekers in every corner of our province for the future of work.”
In addition, the Ontario government is investing $535,000 through the SDF program to launch two innovative projects that will expand apprenticeship opportunities to future boilermakers in Northern Ontario and across the province. Led by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 128, these free programs will provide 1,350 participants with the opportunity to explore rewarding careers as boilermakers, which can pay up to $38 an hour.
“Our government is proud to invest in new funding to build, upgrade and convert training centres across the province. Investing in these training centres is crucial to building a stronger Ontario by getting workers trained and into the workforce,” said Kinga Surma, minister of infrastructure. “By empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge to master their crafts, we are creating a future of innovation, and economic prosperity. As we continue to invest in critical infrastructure, these trained workers will be helping build Ontario for generations to come.”
The first project will give 1,200 high-school students hands-on experience with welding, cutting and rigging work and the opportunity to pursue apprenticeships in the trade. It will prioritize women, Indigenous people and others in rural Northern Ontario communities interested in learning about work in the skilled trades.
The second project will provide free lodging, travel and food for 150 new jobseekers from around the province as they begin introductory apprenticeship training. Participants will complete rigorous coursework covering rigging, working at heights and construction safety as they prepare to become boilermaker apprentices.
These two projects are funded through the existing SDF, an over $700 million initiative, which supports ground-breaking programs that connect jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying careers close to home.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Hot Jobs is a weekly segment that showcases a selection of the top positions that have been recently posted on SiteNews Jobs, a Canadian construction job board we launched last month.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario’s apprenticeship registrations have increased 24 per cent in the last year
The second year of province’s skilled trades career fairs for students will see the program expand into more cities.
Officials say recruitment is key as Ontario will need over 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade if it hopes to achieve its infrastructure goals.
The Whole Story:
Ontario’s approach to increasing trade apprentice numbers appears to be working.
The province reported apprenticeship registrations have increased 24 per cent in the last year – from 21,971 to 27,319.
In addition, the second year of the province’s skilled trades career fairs for students will be expanding to even more cities around the province.
“As we build a stronger Ontario that works for everyone, we need to ensure students and jobseekers know about the rewarding life-long careers waiting for them in the skilled trades,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “There is as much merit in being an electrician or a carpenter as there is in being an architect or a lawyer. I’m thrilled more young people are waking up to the promise of good pay, pensions, and purpose-driven work that the skilled trades offer.”
Officials stated that in order to help deliver the Ontario’s infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031, Ontario will need over 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade. The historic increase in apprenticeship registrations, including a 28 per cent jump among women, follows more than $1 billion in investment in the skilled trades over three years, along with the launch of a new agency: Skilled Trades Ontario.
“We are taking action across the board by making it easier for students to have apprenticeships, skills and credentials recognized towards their Diploma,” said Stephen Lecce, minister of education. “This builds on Ontario’s recent decision to require all students to take at least one technological education course, opening up the horizons and opportunities of all students into good-paying STEM and skilled careers.”
Ontario’s skilled trades career fairs for students will be returning for the second year in a row and in more cities. More information on the 2023 fairs, cities, and dates will be announced later this summer. The events are intended to reduce the stigma related to the trades and make more students, teachers and parents aware of these career opportunities
“Now is the time to build a rewarding career in the skilled trades,” said Melissa Young, CEO and registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario. “With record investments being made in infrastructure, we urgently need skilled workers to meet demand. Skilled Trades Ontario is thrilled to be partnering with the Ministry to promote these exciting opportunities, break down barriers and empower the next generation of skilled trades professionals to succeed.”
Students in grades 7 to 12 will have the chance to learn about the 144 different skilled trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers about these lucrative careers. Last year, 12,800 students, parents, friends, and teachers visited events in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, London, Mississauga, and Ottawa.
