Check back here often for updates on events.

This project is a separate initiative to increase the awareness of the career opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies and to change the negative perceptions surrounding them. We will be visiting secondary school in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph to address these issues. To find out when we are coming to your (or your child's school), check back here often or contact us.

Skills Canada - Ontario will be holding the following events throughout the year. We encourage you to attend, or participate in these to see first-hand to wonderful opportunities that exist in the skilled trades and technologies.

Ontario Technological Skills Competition
Each year hundreds of young people, and thousands of spectators, converge at our cornerstone event. This event is the ideal opportunity for young people to hone their skills, test themselves against industry standards and showcase their talents in over 40 skill contests.

Elementary Technology Challenges and Career Awareness Workshops
Held in conjunction with the Ontario Technological Skills Competition these events encourage students to explore career opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies at a very young age. Over 200 students in grades 4 to 8 compete each year in the Elementary Technology Challenges. The Career Awareness Workshops provides hundreds of students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, as well as speak with industry representatives in numerous workshops related to careers in the skilled trades and technologies.

Career Showcase
The Ontario Technological Skills Competition hosts one of the largest, most diverse exhibitions of representatives from industry, education and government under one venue. Visitors to the Career Showcase can participate in one of the many active demonstrations, or speak to the knowledgeable representatives about potential career opportunities.

Youth Exploring Technology Days
This is an opportunity for students in grades 7 & 8 to spand a day in the technology department of the high school they will eventually attend and participate in hands-on workshops related to the skilled trades and technologies.

Award-winning Young Women's Conferences
Held in conjuction with the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, female mentors and young women in grades 7 - 8 and grades 9 - 10 are brought together to discuss the opportunities for women in the skilled trades and technologies.

"What's Out There?" In-school Presentations
We have school liaison officers that travel the province speaking to young people about the tremendous career opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies and providing them with the valuable information they need to make informed career decisions. To find out when we are coming to your school (or your child’s school), please contact us. Presentations are available for both secondary and elementary schools in French and English.

Cardboard Boat Races
This annual event is an exciting way to encourage interest in technology for many young people. The races combine fun and learning in a positive environment. Participants make use of many technological and employability skills, which not only determines their ultimate success at this event, but also assists in preparing them for the changing world of work.

"Skills Work for Youth" Employability Skills Camp
Recognizing that a successful career is not solely dependent on the development of technical skills, we developed a program for students entering into grades 7 and 8 that will assist them in understanding the importance of employability skills as well. This week-long program engages participants in numerous activities that encourages and emphasizes skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, and the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. Combined with industry tours, and hands-on activities, this is truly an educational experience that young people will enjoy.

Parent-Council Presentations
Knowing that parents have a great influence on their children, we make the effort to make them better informed as well.

Industry Awareness Days
We bring guidance counsellors and teachers together to show them first-hand how many exciting jobs are available in the skilled trades and technologies.

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