* Please note that Elementary Career Awareness Workshops are distinct from Elementary contests, which also take place at the Skills Ontario Competition. Elementary contests are full-day events where teams of 2 to 4 students represent their school board in one of 9 different contests. If you are interested in Elementary contests, please click here to learn more or contact your school board representative.
Build, design, create and fix are what the Elementary Career Awareness Workshops are all about! Ensuring students have the opportunity to explore these actions through hands-on workshops allows them to discover different career possibilities in the skilled trades and technologies. As a group of up to 30, Grades 7 & 8 classes will experience two 40 minute hands-on workshops and tour the Career Exploration Showcase, where every Showcase Booth also has a hands-on activity.
With over 40 workshops happening simultaneously, workshop registration fills up quickly with well over 1,500 students receiving the spark they needed to learn more about a career in the skilled trades.
Who can participate in the Elementary Workshops?
The Elementary Workshops are open to Grades 7 & 8 students who are enrolled at an elementary school. Each individual school can request groups of up to 30 students each, but space is limited, so waitlists may begin early.
What exactly are the Elementary Workshops?
There are a large variety of workshops offered that fall into the four skilled trades sectors recognized in Ontario: Construction, Industrial, Motive Power, and Service. Both Skills Ontario and the workshops recognize a fifth of Technology. Students may have the chance to try their skills at workshops such as building a birdhouse, changing a tire, creating a computer animation or culinary delights.
Where do the Elementary Workshops take place?
The Elementary Workshops are held in conjunction with the Skills Ontario Competition, at Toronto Congress Centre – 650 Dixon Road, Etobicoke.
When are the Elementary Workshops?
Each year on Day 1 of the competition, which is Monday May 5th, 2025. Workshops are offered in two different sessions: the morning session, running from 10:15am-11:50am and the afternoon session, running from 12:20pm-1:55pm. The remainder of the day is to visit the Career Exploration Showcase Booths. The start/ finish times of the workshops, is to allow time at the start and end of the day for travel and transportation of classes.
Schedule:
Morning Workshop 1: 10:15am – 10:55am
Travel Time: 10:55am – 11:10am
Morning Workshop 2: 11:10am – 11:50am
Break: 11:50am – 12:20pm
Afternoon Workshop 1: 12:20pm – 1:00pm
Travel Time: 1:00pm – 1:15pm
Afternoon Workshop 2: 1:15pm – 1:55pm
How and when do I register my school for the Elementary Workshops?
Workshop spaces will be confirmed on a first-come-first serve basis, with priority given to the first 2 schools to register from each individual school board. After these spots are filled, spaces will be granted in the order that school registrations were requested. The purpose of this policy is to ensure all school boards are given an opportunity to attend the elementary workshops.
Registration happens through our online system. The online form will become active once registration opens on February 4th and can be found on this web page.
Please note that space requests are NOT confirmed automatically. Confirmations of spaces will be sent in mid-March, at which time you will be notified if your space has been accepted or put on the waitlist.
How much do the Elementary Workshops cost?
Registration is $250 per group of 30. This will be invoiced post event. Invoicing information will be requested during the registration process. Please note, failure to make payment will hinder your school’s possibility in registering again for Elementary Workshops for the following years event.
Who do I contact for more information?
If you’re interested in learning more about our Elementary Workshops, please contact competitions@skillsontario.com.
How can I become a Workshop Provider?
If you’re interested in volunteering as a Workshop Leader, please contact the Competitions Department (competitions@skillsontario.com).
Your workshop description and available floor space will be reviewed, for the possibility of it being added for the current event year. Recognition of your company, institution, union, organization, etc., will be made available through the name of the Workshop (example: LiUNA Bird House).
It is free to provide and register to host an Elementary Workshop for the provider. Skills Ontario will provide all tables, chairs, pipe drape, power, etc, and the workshop provider will provide any/ all materials, required tools (if not already on the contest site), and/or shipping of materials/ tools.
