Program Overview
Helping youth and young adults in and from care kickstart a career in the trades through support, guidance, resources, and community! Trades Ready Youth (TRY) is an initiative of the Child Welfare Political Action Committee (CWPAC), a registered Canadian charity that advocates for a progressive child welfare system. TRY is funded by the Government of Ontario, with the goal of supporting youth as they pursue new pathways towards a brighter future.
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Partners
Give the Trades a TRY!
Through a personalised approach, TRY provides comprehensive support through each stage of the journey towards a career in the skilled trades.
Note: To be eligible for our individualised pathway development program and in-person workshops, you must be at least 18 years of age with a minimum of 1 year in care.
Individualised Pathway Development
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Work with our consultants and industry advisors to determine your personal goals as you work towards a meaningful career in the trades.
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Become a trades ready apprentice candidate by accessing resources, guidance, and support from a team who aims to understand your unique journey.
In-Person Workshops
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Get an introduction to the building and construction trades by taking part in our workshops across Ontario!
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Workshops are FREE and take place over 2 days at a unionised training hall.
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Gain hands-on experience, connect with industry professionals, ask questions, and complete a compulsory health and safety certification in various skilled trades.
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Personalised support is available after completion of the workshops for those interested in continuing to pursue the skilled trades.
Webinars for Allies
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For support workers, caregivers, parents, industry professionals, and more!
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Take part in FREE online education to understand what it means to be trades ready.
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Learn how to effectively support youth as they work towards a career in the trades.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship offers a route to a fulfilling career in the trades. As an apprentice, you attend classes and gain hands-on experience by working under the guidance of Red Seal professionals.
The main goals of an apprenticeship are to:
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Acquire practical skills
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Gain work experience
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Develop industry knowledge
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Foster mentorship
Why Skilled Trades?
Pursuing a skilled trade allows you to gain practical life skills, take pride in having financial independence, and remain secure in a job that has numerous growth opportunities. As Ontario continues to grow, so does the need for skilled trades workers, offering valuable career opportunities. Careers in the skilled trades are:
Careers in the skilled trades are:
In-demand
Over the next decade, Ontario will require over 100,000 skilled trades professionals. Skilled trades remain consistently in demand, offering job security and stable career prospects across a range of industries.
Rewarding
85% of an apprenticeship is paid training. As individuals progress from an apprenticeship, the skilled trades offer competitive wages, providing the way for a financially rewarding career.
Diverse
There are over 30 skilled trades to choose from in various sectors. With such a wide variety of options, there's a great opportunity to discover your passion.
More About
Trades Ready Youth
Trades Ready Youth (TRY) is an initiative of the Child Welfare Political Action Committee (CWPAC), a registered Canadian charity that advocates for a progressive child welfare system.
TRY is funded by the Government of Ontario, helping youth and young adults from care kickstart their careers in the trades. As Ontario continues to grow, so does the need for skilled trades workers, offering valuable career opportunities. TRY is proud to work with unionised construction training centres and post-secondary institutions across Ontario to support youth by providing them with the foundation, resources, and guidance they need to pursue new pathways towards a brighter future.
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With compassion, dedication, and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by youth and young adults with lived experience in the child welfare system, TRY seeks to assist individuals in unlocking their potential by offering guidance on pathways to the trades as means to a fulfilling career. Through a personalised approach, TRY provides comprehensive support through each stage of the journey towards a career in the trades.
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TRY is focused on making the trades accessible by offering advice and guidance from an industry liaison. By leveraging connections and partnerships in the trades, TRY is able to facilitate opportunities for youth including in-person workshops, which take place in targeted areas across Ontario several times a year. These workshops offer youth the opportunity to meet industry professionals, ask questions about the trades, have hands-on experience, and gain compulsory health and safety certification in various skilled trades. TRY also holds workshops for allies on how best to help and support youth and young adults as they pursue the trades.
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TRY’s wraparound approach of support seeks to inspire the next generation of tradespeople, unlocking the opportunity for a more prosperous future. Together with partners and allies, TRY offers a community for youth and young adults to acquire new skills while creating meaningful connections and lasting relationships.
Stay up to date with our workshops and webinars
