June 16, 2021 – Ontario is investing almost $4 million through Support Ontario Youth (SOY) to help up to 2100 young people access training and networking opportunities to become electricians, plumbers, millwrights, automotive service technicians and horticulture technicians.

The funding will help deliver 70 one-day boot camps in 25+ communities across the province that have been “hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic” to provide youth with hands-on training, resume-writing help, and introductions to prospective employers in the industrial, construction, motive power and service sectors.

“It is not only important but significant that the money from the government is already working to help grow the number of apprentices in the trades in Ontario,” said Stephen Sell, executive director, SOY. “My team, led by Kevin Graham, has organized in excess of 60 boot camp events that we believe […] will see an additional 140 apprentices working in their trade.”

From September 2021 to March 2022, Support Ontario Youth will run “Tools in the Trades Boot Camps” targeting three groups of participants:

• Grade 12 students who have an interest in the skilled trades
• People who lost their jobs during the pandemic
• People looking to start a new career in a growing sector or industry (with a focus on Indigenous youth, racialized groups, women and newcomers).

To be considered for the boot camp, applicants must fill out a 17-question questionnaire through SOY’s website. The “Talent Sorter” will determine their compatibility with a selected trade.

It is expected that 500 employers and industry associations, plus 300 education & training providers, will be involved in the project.