TORONTO — The Ontario government has announced apprenticeship registrations in the skilled trades have increased by a record 24 per cent in the past year.
Registrations jumped from 21,971 to 27,319 according to statistics released June 13.
There are now 1.3 million people working in skilled trades-related occupations in Ontario. In total, there were 91,634 apprentices active in Ontario as of April 3.
The increase in apprenticeship registrations, including a 28 per cent increase among women, follows more than $1 billion in investment in the skilled trades over three years, along with the launch of Skilled Trades Ontario, stated a release. Ontario is funding 95 new pre-apprenticeship program projects.
“As we build a stronger Ontario that works for everyone, we need to ensure students and jobseekers know about the rewarding life-long careers waiting for them in the skilled trades,” stated Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton in a statement. “There is as much merit in being an electrician or a carpenter as there is in being an architect or a lawyer. I’m thrilled more young people are waking up to the promise of good pay, pensions, and purpose-driven work that the skilled trades offer.”
The government also announced its skilled trades career fairs for students would be expanding.
Last year, 12,800 students, parents, friends, and teachers visited events in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, London, Mississauga and Ottawa.
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