Kenora, ON – Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) is improving access to certification for apprentices in Northwestern Ontario by opening the Agency’s first examination centre in Kenora. CEO Candice White joined the Honourable David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and Minister Rickford to mark the announcement at Seven Generations Education Institute in Kenora.
The Kenora centre is the latest addition to a province-wide network of 24 partnerships between colleges and institutions across Ontario, giving apprentices the ability to write their certifying exams closer to where they live, work, and learn.
“Apprentices across Ontario have told us what a five-hour drive to an exam centre meant for their certification – in time, in cost, and in delays,” shares CEO Candice White. “For too long, that has been the reality. Bringing certifying exams to apprentices exactly where they are changes that. This is what the apprenticeship pathway should look like – meeting apprentices where they are, with the consistency and integrity they deserve. We’re grateful for our industry partners and to the STO team who made this possible.”
The exam centres are located at:
STO has delivered more than 7,200 exams across this network of exam centres throughout the province. This total is exclusive of final-level exam offerings which boast an additional 5,400 exams. Behind this number is a dedicated team of Skilled Trades Ontario staff who set up and manage these examination locations every day. They are the reason we can ensure the integrity of the exam experience at each of our sites.
“The opening of the examination centres reflects STO’s continued commitment to improving client service and expanding equitable access to certification across the province,” said Board Chair Michael Sherrard. “This milestone strengthens Ontario’s skilled trades system, supports the growth of a highly qualified workforce, and reflects ongoing efforts to expand regional access and improve service for apprentices, sponsors and employers across Ontario.”
These examination centres will make Ontario’s certification system for apprentices more accessible, responsive and equitable by bringing essential services closer to communities. This work is helping strengthen the skilled trades workforce that will build Ontario’s future.
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.
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