The Skilled Trades Regional Network continues this fall with new meetings, and momentum is growing. Across Ontario, employers, educators, and community partners are coming together to strengthen pathways into the skilled trades, helping more students explore rewarding, hands-on careers while building a stronger future workforce.
Over the past year, Skilled Trades Regional Network members have made remarkable progress in connecting classrooms to careers.
- Hosting career talks, workplace tours, and job shadowing for over 250 students
- Creating 224 co-op placements and 363 experiential learning opportunities
- Strengthening partnerships with 388 employers province-wide
- Through more than 2,000 outreach calls to English and French employers across Ontario, we identified approximately 500 new potential co-op placements for the 2025-26 school year
- A growing Tools for Schools initiative, connecting employers with classrooms through donations and resources, with 150+ equipment donations and partnerships with CN, Hilti, OPG, Mohawk College, and Conestoga College
These results reflect a strong, province-wide effort to bring employers and educators together, align local opportunities with workforce needs, and create real experiences that inspire students to consider careers in the trades.
What’s Ahead
As the Skilled Trades Regional Network continues, the focus is on deepening collaboration and expanding impact. Members can expect:
- Regional Network meetings to reconnect, share insights, and plan next steps
- Continued growth of the Tools for Schools program to support classroom learning
- More opportunities for employers, educators, and community partners to work together on experiential learning and apprenticeship pathways
View upcoming Regional Network meeting dates and RSVP here. Not sure which region you're in? Check the Regional breakdowns to find your Network.
Whether you’re an employer looking to inspire the next generation or an educator building real-world learning opportunities, there’s a place for you in the Skilled Trades Regional Network.
Together, we’re connecting classrooms to careers — and shaping Ontario’s skilled, inspired, and future-ready workforce.
Learn more and get involved: strn.apprenticesearch.com
