Ottawa contributes $27M towards skilled trades competitions
The competitions are designed to encourage exploration of alternative career paths.
Carpenters compete at Skills Canada event in Alberta. – Skills Canada
Key Takeaways:
- The funds will go towards Skills Canada’s competitions program.
- Skills Canada has delivered the Skills Canada National Competition across Canada over the past 29 years in over 40 skilled trades and technologies.
- Skills Canada’s efforts focus on youth and underrepresented groups including women, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous people and racialized individuals.
The Whole Story:
Let the games begin.
The federal government will contribute more than $27 million over five years to Skills Canada under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy. The funding supports the organization’s efforts to engage youth in the skilled trades through competitions and career exploration.
“Young people want to help build Canada’s future,” said Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough. “With the nature of work changing fast, today’s investment will help young people develop the skills they need to take advantage of future career opportunities in the skilled trades.”
Skills Canada provides hands-on experience to youth and underrepresented groups including women, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous people and racialized individuals in the skilled trades and technology.
Skills Canada undertakes a number of promotional activities and events including Skills Canada provincial and territorial competitions, national competitions, WorldSkills competitions, and National Skilled Trades and Technology Week.
Each year, the Government of Canada invests nearly $1 billion in apprenticeship supports through grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training, project funding and support for the Red Seal program. Further to providing supports in the skilled trades, the Government of Canada is helping to increase awareness, through an advertising campaign promoting the skilled trades as a first-choice career option for young people.
Skills Canada has delivered the Skills Canada National Competition across Canada over the past 29 years in over 40 skilled trades and technologies. The 2023 Skills Canada National Competition, in Winnipeg, drew over 500 competitors and over 13,000 visitors.
