WINDSOR, ON – Apprentices across Ontario have a new resource to help them navigate every stage of their training, from registration to certification, with the launch of Skilled Trades Ontario’s Apprentice Toolkit. Designed to simplify the apprenticeship process, the toolkit brings together practical information on registration, in-school training, financial supports, and other key aspects of apprenticeship training in one place.
Developed for Ontario’s more than 96,000 active apprentices, the toolkit helps apprentices better understand the apprenticeship system, stay on top of important requirements, and access the supports available to them throughout their training. It also helps connect apprentices with Skilled Trades Ontario’s network of apprenticeship advisors located across the province, ensuring access to guidance and support no matter where an apprentice lives or works in Ontario.
”Ontario’s future depends on a skilled workforce prepared to meet the demands of our growing economy,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Skilled Trades Ontario is making training and apprenticeship pathways clearer and more accessible, connecting more people to rewarding careers. The role they play is central to building the strong, skilled workforce Ontario needs to continue growing, attracting investment and creating opportunity across the province.”
For many apprentices, knowing where to begin, or where to turn for information during their training, can be a challenge. The Apprentice Toolkit provides clear, reliable guidance at every stage, helping apprentices navigate their training with confidence and stay focused on reaching certification.
“Starting an apprenticeship is an exciting step towards a future in the skilled trades, and having access to the right information can make all the difference,” said Candice White, CEO of Skilled Trades Ontario. “The Apprentice Toolkit gives apprentices the confidence to navigate their training by bringing together key information, resources, and support in one place. We’re proud to provide a practical roadmap that will help apprentices stay on track and achieve their goals.”
The toolkit was unveiled at St. Clair College alongside representatives from Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) and approximately 40 pre-apprentices enrolled in the Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Women and Skills Training in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Sheet Metal Program for Women, highlighting the importance of supporting the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Available in both digital and print formats, the Apprentice Toolkit reflects Skilled Trades Ontario’s commitment to improving the apprentice experience and supporting Ontario’s future skilled trades workforce.
The Apprentice Toolkit is the second resource in Skilled Trades Ontario’s four-part toolkit series designed to support key audiences involved in apprenticeship training and workforce development. The series launched with the Sponsor Toolkit in Ottawa on June 24 and will continue this fall with the release of toolkits for Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) recruiters and guidance counsellors, helping strengthen awareness and support for skilled trades pathways across Ontario.
“When apprentices have access to clear information and the right supports, they are better positioned to succeed,” said Jeff Hewitt, Director of Training and Apprenticeship at Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario. “The Apprentice Toolkit is an important addition to a broader series of resources that will help strengthen Ontario’s apprenticeship system and future skilled trades workforce.”
“A strong and sustainable skilled trades workforce starts with successful apprentices,” said Beatrice Sharkey, President of the Ontario Electrical League. “The Apprentice Toolkit is a practical resource that will help apprentices stay on track throughout their training and support the development of the skilled workforce Ontario’s employers depend on.”
“Building a stronger skilled trades workforce starts by investing in apprentices from day one,” says Victoria Mancinelli, Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships LiUNA. “The Apprentice Toolkit is more than a resource, it is a practical roadmap that will help apprentices navigate every stage of their journey with confidence, from their first day on the job to achieving certification and building rewarding, lifelong careers in the skilled trades. By giving the next generation the tools they need to succeed, we are strengthening our workforce, our industry, and Ontario’s future.”
For more information or to access the Apprentice Toolkit, visit Apprentice Toolkit – Skilled Trades Ontario.
About Skilled Trades Ontario
Skilled Trades Ontario is an agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario. Skilled Trades Ontario is dedicated to simplifying access to services for skilled trades professionals, promoting the skilled trades as a career of choice and addressing the labour shortage in the skilled trades, in partnership with government and industry.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Media Relations
Skilled Trades Ontario
media@skilledtradesontario.ca