Skilled Trades Ontario is a new Crown agency which replaced the Ontario College of Trades. It operates at arms-length from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development responsible for skilled trades certification in Ontario, which includes:
- establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards and certification exams
- assessing experience and qualifications of individuals who have not completed an apprenticeship program in Ontario
- issuing Certificates of Qualification in all trades with certifying exams
- renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades
- maintaining a Public Register of people authorized to work in compulsory trades
- conducting research in relation to apprenticeship and the trades
Skilled Trades Ontario is also working toward:
- addressing the labour shortage in the skilled trades sector
- simplifying access to services by building a “one-window” online channel for all skilled trades and apprenticeship clients
- promoting the trades as a career of choice
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has oversight of trades legislation and regulation, including prescribing/deprescribing trades, scopes of practice, trade classifications and ratios. The Ministry has also assumed responsibility for compliance and enforcement through its Occupational Health and Safety Inspectorate.
