Province aims to connect over 60,000 students and jobseekers with in-demand careers
TORONTO — The Ontario government is ramping up efforts to address a growing labour shortage in the skilled trades sector by launching its annual Level Up! career fairs for a fifth consecutive year, with plans to reach more than 60,000 participants across the province in 2026.
Announced in Toronto, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to build a workforce capable of supporting the province’s ambitious infrastructure agenda. The multi-day events, scheduled in 12 communities between September and December, will feature hands-on exhibits, employer interactions and training opportunities aimed at students, educators and jobseekers.
“To deliver on our government’s historic $236 billion infrastructure plan, Ontario will need an additional 400,000 workers in the skilled trades over the next decade,” said Doug Ford. “We will continue to invest in innovative programs that introduce students and young people to the skills they need to land in-demand careers and bigger paycheques.”
Skilled trades demand intensifies amid workforce transition
Ontario’s push comes as demographic pressures reshape the labour market, with roughly one-third of current tradespeople nearing retirement. The province estimates that one in six job openings by 2034 will be in skilled trades-related occupations, underscoring the urgency of workforce development initiatives.
The Level Up! fairs will highlight Ontario’s 144 recognized skilled trades through interactive demonstrations and direct engagement with employers, unions and training providers. While the program primarily targets students in Grades 7 to 12, it also invites parents, educators and jobseekers to explore apprenticeship pathways and career options.
“Our government is focused on making sure Ontario workers have the skills, resources and opportunities they need to succeed,” said David Piccini. “The Level Up! career fairs continue to open more doors for students and jobseekers to explore careers in the skilled trades, connect directly with employers and see firsthand the opportunities available to them.”
Province-wide rollout to boost accessibility
The 2026 tour will span 12 communities, including Kingston, Hamilton, Ottawa and Mississauga, over 29 days from September 23 to December 10. Each location will host daytime sessions for school groups followed by free public open houses designed to engage families and the broader community.
The government says the initiative builds on strong participation in previous years. More than 58,000 people attended the fairs in 2025, bringing total attendance since 2022 to over 140,000. Attendance is expected to surpass 200,000 by the end of this year.
Education and industry leaders back initiative
Provincial ministers and industry stakeholders say the program plays a key role in bridging the gap between education and employment in high-demand sectors.
“Ontario’s students deserve every opportunity to explore pathways that lead to rewarding, good-paying careers. Level Up! plays an important role in connecting classroom learning with hands-on experience. As Level Up! returns for a fifth year and reaches communities across the province, our government is helping more students make informed choices about their future while supporting the skilled workforce Ontario needs to grow.”
- Paul Calandra
Minister of Education
“From our roads to our hospitals to our homes, our province’s skilled trades workforce is building and protecting a prosperous Ontario. The Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fairs are a fantastic opportunity for students and families to connect with our world-class postsecondary institutions and start planning good-paying, future careers in Ontario’s booming skilled trades sectors.”
- Nolan Quinn
Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
Industry organizations also emphasize the importance of early exposure to skilled trades careers.
“Skills Ontario is proud to partner with Minister Piccini and the Ontario government to promote the skilled trades as a first-choice career path for Ontario’s youth. Level Up! Career Fairs play a critical role in engaging students, giving them hands-on exposure to in-demand careers, and helping them see the real opportunities these pathways can lead to. For more than 35 years, Skills Ontario has worked alongside the Ontario government to strengthen the skilled trades and help build the workforce of the future. Together, we are opening doors, inspiring the next generation, and equipping young people with the skills they need to succeed. We are proud to support Level Up! once again and look forward to another successful year.”
- Ian Howcroft
CEO, Skills Ontario
“Five years on, Level Up! continues to open doors for young people across Ontario, giving them real, hands-on exposure to the skilled trades and the careers they could build. The career fairs make that possible by connecting students and jobseekers directly with the tradespeople and employers shaping the work today. Skilled Trades Ontario is proud to deliver Level Up! alongside the Ontario government, and proud to support every young person discovering a career that is in demand, well paid, and built to last.”
- Candice White
CEO, Skilled Trades Ontario
Long-term workforce strategy
The Level Up! initiative forms part of Ontario’s broader plan to engage 500,000 youth in skilled trades by 2030 through programs such as Trade and Tech Trucks. The government says these efforts are critical to sustaining economic growth and delivering essential infrastructure projects across the province.
By connecting young people directly with career opportunities and training pathways, Ontario aims to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers capable of meeting future demand while supporting stable, well-paying employment across key sectors.