As governments invest in major housing, transit, clean-energy, and industrial projects, Ontario faces a critical question: do we have the people to build it? While many sectors of the economy feel slow, construction and trade-related industries continue to experience persistent labour shortages. Employers report difficulty finding qualified candidates for roles such as electricians, plumbers, HVAC installers, welders, and sheet metal workers — trades that underpin nearly every major infrastructure and industrial project.

With roughly 700,000 skilled trades workers expected to retire nationally by 2028, the shortage is only becoming more acute, impacting the cost and timeline of building homes, modernizing hospitals, maintaining public infrastructure, and supporting manufacturers.

Strengthening the Trades Pipeline

In this context, ApprenticeSearch.com’s Gateway to the Trades program, made possible through Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, plays a critical role. Grounded in real hiring conditions and delivered by an organization with 25 years of experience in Ontario’s skilled trades ecosystem, the program provides a full range of supports to help people succeed in the trades — from coaching and safety certifications to financial literacy, tools, and guidance through apprenticeship pathways.

To date, Gateway to the Trades has helped 1,480 Ontarians secure employment, launched over 650 apprenticeships, and maintains an 80% employment rate, demonstrating the impact of aligning public investment with employer needs and individual aspirations.

Opening Doors to In-Demand Careers

Programs like Gateway to the Trades transform lives. Take Benjamin, for example. After years in food service, he wanted a career change into the mechanical trades but lacked certifications, gear, and connections. Gateway to the Trades provided the training, tools, and coaching he needed to gain confidence and secure an apprenticeship with the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union, now contributing to the construction of the new Niagara Falls hospital — exactly the kind of nation-building project Ontario depends on.

Supporting Ontario’s Nation-Building Goals

Benjamin’s story reflects the program’s mission: open doors into high-demand trades, build confidence, and support people from application to first day on the job. As Ontario moves forward with ambitious infrastructure and housing commitments, the need for a strong, diverse, and well-supported trades workforce will only grow.

Fortunately, ApprenticeSearch.com — with decades of experience building the trades pipeline — is already in place and ready to scale with the right support. The path forward is clear: strengthen existing collaborations, invest in proven programs, and ensure every Ontarian who wants to help build our province has a clear, supported route into the trades.

Read the full National Post story here