London, ON — Most Canadians have a clear appreciation for the skilled trades, according to a new study. Specifically, 76 per cent said they would encourage their children to pursue a career in the skilled trades.
These findings came from the Measuring Up The Trades study, commissioned by Classic Fire + Life Safety. The study was held over the summer and examined Canadians’ knowledge and perceptions of the skilled trades, with a specific emphasis on fire protection.
“We hear a lot about in-demand skilled trades across Canada – cooks, hairstylists, welders, industrial electricians, carpenters, plumbers – but rarely see our industry listed,” said Stanley Owah, talent acquisition specialist at Classic Fire +Life Safety. “Raising awareness is not only key to our success as a business, it’s key to our end goal of protecting lives and property.”
The study highlighted that 62 per cent believed the pay was good in the skilled trades and that 52 per cent looked more favourably on the trades than they did a few years ago. Additionally, 46 per cent believe skilled trades jobs are stable.
The survey also showed that fewer respondents cited lack of encouragement as a reason for not pursuing a trades career (13 per cent in 2025 vs 16 per cent in 2024). When asked why Canadians considered a career in skilled trades, more respondents indicated an appreciation for job security (38 per cent in 2025 vs 29 per cent in 2024), and overall, more Canadians strongly considered a career in the skilled trades (18 per cent in 2025 compared to 15 per cent in 2024).
When asked about the benefits of having a skilled trades career, 50 per cent cited the appeal of hands-on work, 48 per cent said trades offer strong earning potential, 38 per cent pointed to job security, and 26 per cent said trades provide good opportunities to start a small business.
However, while most Canadians see more options in the skilled trades, many remain unfamiliar with opportunities in the fire protection sector (sprinkler fitters and fire alarm technicians).
The study showed that most Canadians view fire alarm and sprinkler fitters positively; however, only 30 per cent are familiar with fire alarm technicians as a career option, and just 22 per cent are familiar with sprinkler fitters. Furthermore, only 11 per cent of respondents say they would know where to start if they were to pursue a career in either field.