Apr 6 2016

TORONTO, ON, April 6, 2016 -- The Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) is the largest skilled trades and technology competition in Canada, and Skills Ontario is thrilled to announce that the event will be moving to the Toronto Congress Centre in 2017. The announcement was made at the Toronto Congress Centre this morning by Skills Ontario Executive Director, Gail Smyth. Toronto Deputy Mayor, Vincent Crisanti, was also present and provided remarks on the significance of the OTSC’s move to Toronto in 2017.

The competition, currently hosted at RIM Park in Waterloo, features 67 contest sites, 44 elementary challenges and workshops, a career exploration showcase, 2,200 competitors from across Ontario and over 20,000 spectators -- a number that continues to grow each year.

The Toronto Congress Centre will provide an upgraded space that will allow every contest to be hosted under one roof, making the contests less weather-dependant. In addition, associated events such as the OTSC closing ceremony and popular Young Women’s Conference, which are currently hosted off-site in Waterloo, will now be hosted at the Toronto Congress Centre.

The OTSC moved to the Kitchener Auditorium in 1997, after several years in Hamilton. In 2002, the OTSC moved to RIM Park in Waterloo, where it has seen growth in the number of contests, participants, and visitors year-over-year. Mark your calendars for May 1-3, 2017 and join us for the 2017 OTSC at the Toronto Congress Centre!

Quotes

“Ontario continues to experience a critical skills shortage and Skills Ontario is addressing this ongoing challenge through interactive, hands-on programs in addition to the OTSC,” says Gail Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Ontario. “We are thrilled to be moving the pride of Ontario to the Toronto Congress Centre a facility that will help us heighten the awareness of the tremendous career opportunities in skilled trades and technologies to young people from across Ontario.”   

"Skills Ontario is an essential organization that for the last 27 years has encouraged our youth to learn about and pursue exciting careers in the trade and technology sectors, while growing a competitive and skilled workforce in Ontario,” says Toronto Deputy Mayor, Vincent Crisanti. “Having experienced firsthand a Skills Competition, I am excited that this event will be taking place in North Etobicoke, at the Toronto Congress Centre in 2017."

About Skills Ontario

Skills Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the skilled trades and technologies as viable first-choice career options for Ontario youth. Throughout the year, we promote the skilled trades and technologies through our in-school presentations, the Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC), Cardboard Boat Race Competitions, Women’s Career Exploration Events and Conferences and our Aboriginal Initiatives.

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Media contact

Anne Ramsay

Communications Officer, Skills Ontario

519-749-9899 x 230

aramsay@skillsontario.com