The number of apprenticeship registrants increased by 24 per cent compared to the previous year. Ottawa, ON — Apprenticeship registration is on the up and up in Ontario with an increase of 24 per cent. The total number of registrants came in at 27,319, compared to 21,971 last year, reports the province.
“As we build a stronger Ontario that works for everyone, we need to ensure students and job seekers know about the rewarding life-long careers waiting for them in the skilled trades,” said Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development.
It is reported that one in three workers in Ontario with an apprenticeship or trade certificate are aged 55 or over and are nearing retirement. Ontario estimates that it needs 100,000 new skilled workers to help fill the void and help deliver the promise of building 1.5 million homes by 2031.
According to the Ont. government, the recent increase in apprenticeship registrations is a step in the right direction, as this number includes a 28 per cent increase in women’s apprenticeship registrations.
To help get more people interested in the trades, Ontario announced its skilled trades career fairs will return for a second year. The Level Up! Fair will showcase the 144 skilled trades to Grades 7 to 12 students.
In the first year of hosting its skilled trades fair event, 12,800 guests across Thunder Bay, Sudbury, London, Mississauga, and Ottawa attended the events. More cities are to be announced.