Ontario Helping More Students Learn About Rewarding Careers in the Skilled Trades
September 12, 2025
Level Up! Career fairs will help over 50,000 students and jobseekers learn about good-paying, in-demand jobs
The Ontario government is launching its annual Level Up! career fairs to introduce a record number of students, educators and jobseekers to in-demand careers in the skilled trades. Through multi-day events, open house sessions and over 200 interactive exhibitors, the 2025 fairs will inspire the next generation of workers to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that the province needs.
Building on last year’s success, the fairs have expanded from 21 to 29 days in 12 communities, with over 50,000 people expected to attend as the government works to protect and grow a strong, resilient workforce in the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty.
“Ontario’s greatest strength is our skilled, world-class workforce,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why our government is investing in training and career opportunities like the Level Up! career fairs that are helping thousands of young people discover good-paying careers in the trades.”
The Level Up! career fairs will showcase dozens of Ontario’s 144 skilled trades – from electricians and boilermakers to heavy equipment operators and automotive service technicians. Students in grades 7 to 12, their parents and jobseekers will be able to explore these careers through dynamic exhibits, hands-on demonstrations and direct conversations with tradespeople and employers.
Career fairs are taking place across 12 communities for a total of 29 days between September 17 and December 12, 2025:
- Grafton: September 17–18
- Barrie: October 1–2
- Sudbury: October 8–9
- Timmins: October 15–16
- Thunder Bay: October 22–23
- Windsor: October 29–30
- Hamilton: November 5–6
- London: November 11–13
- Oshawa: November 18–20
- Mississauga: November 25–28
- Kingston: December 2–3
- Ottawa: December 10–12
Grade 7 to 12 students interested in attending the career fairs are encouraged to contact their school board’s Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) recruiter, a teacher or school guidance counsellor to register.
“Level Up! career fairs give students an exciting chance to step into the skilled trades, try them first-hand and connect directly with employers,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “These events help students see a clear pathway from the classroom to rewarding careers in the skilled trades that will set them up for success tomorrow. By investing in students today, we are helping them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed and contribute to Ontario’s future.”
With roughly one in three tradespeople nearing retirement and a growing demand for nation-building projects, these career fairs will help raise awareness and spark interest in good-paying, in-demand careers. The government’s record investments in skilled trades training are helping more youth access the trades with 16,412 youth aged 15 to 24 registered for apprenticeships this year, the highest in the last 10 years.
These fairs build on broader efforts to strengthen Ontario’s workforce, including targeted investments in training and employment pathways. Since 2021, the Ontario government has invested $1.5 billion through the Skills Development Fund to help train more than one million workers for in-demand jobs. As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the government is investing nearly $1 billion more through the Skills Development Fund over the next three years, bringing the total to $2.5 billion, to support key industrial sectors and expand access to good-paying careers.
Quick Facts
- The Level Up! skilled trades career fairs are open to all students, parents and job seekers. Last year, nearly 45,000 students, parents, friends, and teachers visited the fairs.
- Organizations can support the Level Up! career fairs as potential exhibitors or sponsors. Interested organizations can email Levelup@ontario.ca for more details or visit levelupontario.ca.
- One in five new job openings in Ontario will be in the skilled trades-related occupations by 2028.
Quotes
“Building a strong and resilient workforce starts with giving young people real exposure to the skilled trades. The Level Up! career fairs make that possible by connecting students and job seekers directly with tradespeople and employers. We’re proud to work alongside the Ontario government to deliver these fairs, which are opening doors for thousands of young people to discover rewarding careers in the skilled trades — and building the workforce Ontario needs for the future.”
– Candice White
CEO, Skilled Trades Ontario
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