Ariel Deutschmann

Amidst economic uncertainty and skilled trade shortages, Skills Ontario is
recommending continued investments in skilled trade and technology promotion, training
and programming from the provincial government ahead of the 2026 Budget. Skills
Ontario recognizes and applauds the government’s commitment to the investment it has
made to build our future workforce.
“Ontario’s skilled professionals continue to be critical in keeping our economy, our
healthcare system, and our society operating. We are making a difference in dispelling the
myths and improving the image of skilled professionals thanks to the support and
partnership of the provincial government,” said Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario.
“Through this work, more people have a far different view of what these essential careers
are and realize how important these skills are.”
Skills Ontario is recommending multi-year commitments to scale up all efforts to
encourage more youth to pursue careers in skilled trades and technologies, including the
following items:

• Funding to aid the development of a permanent Skilled Trades & Tech exploration
  facility to highlight careers and provide a training facility for competitors,
• Increase support for the Skills Ontario Competition, the largest in the country
• And increase funding for the Skills Development Fund.

Read the rest of the news release here.

Skills Ontario is expanding its fleet of Trades & Tech mobile unit thanks to support from the Ontario Government. The provincial government announced this morning it’s investment in Skills Ontario to expand experiential opportunities for Ontario’s future workforce.

“Ontario’s future relies on a strong, skilled workforce,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “With more trades and tech trucks on the road — bringing VR learning, simulators and hands-on stations directly to Ontario’s youth — we’re inspiring the next generation and opening pathways to good-paying careers in the skilled trades.”

“Skills Ontario is thrilled to add two more mobile learning units to our Trades & Tech Truck program. These mobile units provide experiential opportunities inspiring young people to explore careers in the trades,” said Ian Howcroft, CEO, Skills Ontario. “We thank the Ford government and Minister Piccini for their support and leadership in promoting the trades and building the skilled workforce of the future. Together, we are changing lives and inspiring leaders through skilled trades and technologies.”

Read the rest of the news release here.

After two days of showcasing their skills, Team Ontario returns home from the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition in Regina with 30 medals. At a Closing Ceremony on May 31st following the Skills Canada National Competition, which took place from May 29th to May 30th, Team Ontario took home 30 medals: 13 gold medals, nine silver medals, and eight bronze medals.

Read the full news release here.

Skills Ontario is proud to receive the 2025 Leading on Diversity – Community Award from the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN).

Presented to only 10 recipients, Skills Ontario was chosen for its work and commitment to community benefit programs through its longstanding investment in workforce development initiatives that prioritize equity-deserving groups, including women, Indigenous communities, newcomers, racialized youth, and persons with disabilities.

The award was presented to the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Indigenous Relations, Ashley Cuglietta, at the Canadian Building Diversity Awards & Community Benefits Summit in Toronto.

“We are grateful the nominations committee has selected Skills Ontario to be one of 10 recipients for the Leading on Diversity – Community Award, and for the opportunity to highlight the work we do to help break down barriers and foster an inclusive environment in the skilled trades,” said Cuglietta about the award.

Read the news release here.