Ontario Construction News staff writer
Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) has announced Candice White as its new chief executive officer, effective Nov. 25.
White will replace outgoing CEO Melissa Young and will continue to lead STO’s efforts to expand Ontario’s skilled trades workforce, promote the trades as a career of choice, and modernize services for the province’s 1.3 million skilled tradespeople and apprentices.
White brings over a decade of executive experience to the role, including serving as chief administrative officer for multiple municipalities, most recently the Municipality of Port Hope. She has also held leadership positions on boards of provincial agencies. White’s experience managing organizations of a similar size and scope will support her leadership at STO.
“It’s an honour to be appointed as the CEO of Skilled Trades Ontario,” White said. “I look forward to working with STO’s board, its talented workforce, and tradespeople across Ontario as we continue to modernize service delivery and advance world-class certification standards for our skilled tradespeople and apprentices.”
Labour Minister David Piccini thanked Young for her contributions. “On behalf of Premier Doug Ford and the province, I would like to thank Melissa Young for her leadership and dedication to building a stronger future for Ontario,” Piccini said. “As a results-oriented change leader, Melissa helped transform STO into a key supporter of tradespeople, particularly women in the trades.”
Young, who was appointed CEO in January 2022, led STO’s efforts to establish the organization following the closure of the Ontario College of Trades. Under her leadership, STO introduced key initiatives, including the launch of Standards Industry Advisory Committees, Certificates of Qualification, wallet cards for trades professionals, and the creation of an Exam Support Unit to assist apprentices.
Ontario’s skilled trades workforce includes over 1.3 million workers, including more than 102,000 active apprentices. The province is projected to need 500,000 more skilled trades workers over the next decade.