Ontario Construction News staff writer
Skills Ontario Summer Camps has been hosting week-long day summer camps across the province this summer, with fun, interactive activities to build skills and promote opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies.
โIt is crucial for youth to not only explore opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies, but also to build their skills for the workforce and consider what career path is right for them,โ said Ian Howcroft, CEO at Skills Ontario. โThe skilled trades and technologies offer incredible pathways, and it is Skills Ontarioโs mission to highlight that to youth and to help support Ontarioโs future leadersโ career exploration journeys.โ
Sponsored by the Government of Ontario and Magna, the Summer Camp program runs over the months of July and August, providing students with the chance to participate in skilled trade and technology workshops and tours.
โItโs great to see so many students considering a career in the skilled trades,โ said Melissa Young, CEO and Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario. โThe trades offer plenty of options for young people, including the opportunity to get paid as you learn from experienced professionals in your trade. Skills Ontarioโs summer camps are a great way to test drive the many options out there, in an engaging and hands-on environment.โ
Skills Ontario is also hosting camps for French-speaking youth and Indigenous youth. In conjunction with in-person camps, Skills Ontario is offering virtual workshops this summer, as well.
โWorking in the skilled trades is meaningful, fun, and for many young people, offers a path to a better life,โ said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. โOur government is proud to invest in programs like Skills Ontario Summer Camp, which give children (and their parents) a chance to learn about these life-changing careers.โ