The event will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 10 am – 2 pm at the Red Rose Convention Centre at 1233 Derry Rd E, Mississauga, ON. Free transportation will be available with buses leaving Union Station and Square One in the morning and returning from Red Rose Convention Centre at 2pm. Aimed at those looking to explore a career change or individuals actively seeking job opportunities, the SOY Trades & Talent Summit is available to everyone aged 18+. To register for this event, please visit supportontarioyouth.ca.

Attendees will experience networking opportunities where they can meet potential employers and make connections with industry leaders, work with experts to polish their resume at a dedicated station, gain personal advice from skilled trades professionals at the “Mentor Corner”, and hear from industry experts and trailblazers in the trades at inspiring panels throughout the day.

“This summit is an important step towards connecting individuals with rewarding careers in the skilled trades,” said Melanie Winter, Executive Director of Support Ontario Youth. “By fostering collaboration and providing resources, we aim to empower job seekers and employers alike, helping drive growth within the industry.”

This event aims to not only connect job seekers with potential employers but also foster a collaborative environment that supports the growth and sustainability of the trades sector in Ontario.

The Trades & Talent Summit will bring together a diverse group of key employers and industry stakeholders. The following is a partial list of participating employers and partners:

• Canadian Tire
• CCSYR
• Celeros FT-Clyde Union Pump Canada Ltd
• Chatters
• Climate Care
• Dr HVAC Ltd
• Enercare
• Essense Salon and Sanctuary
• Hair Republic
• HiMark Occupational Skills Training Center Ltd
• HRAI
• L’Amour Hair Lounge
• Lenworth Building Services Limited
• Marca College
• Men Zone Barbershop/ MZ Academy/ Women’s Zone Salon
• Ontario Electrical League
• Ontario Shipyards
• OPHA
• O’Shanter Development
• Salon Centric
• Samco Machinery Limited
• Skilled Trades Ontario
• Smurfit Westrock
• StackTeck System
• Westlake

For more information, please visit www.supportontarioyouth.ca.

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The tournament was a day filled with fun and friendly competition, drawing HVAC professionals and skilled trades enthusiasts alike. Golfers of all skill levels enjoyed the event, which featured a player swag bag, a light lunch, and a clubhouse dinner after the tournament. Participants also competed for prestigious awards such as Tournament Champion, Longest Drive (Men & Women), Closest to the Pin, and several exciting raffle prizes.

Melanie Winter, Executive Director at Support Ontario Youth, expressed deep gratitude for HiMark’s initiative and the generous contributions of all participants. “We are incredibly thankful to HiMark for their commitment to supporting the skilled trades and for choosing SOY as the beneficiary of this fantastic event. The success of this tournament is a testament to the strong community support for the skilled trades. The funds raised will go a long way in helping us continue our mission to mentor, guide, and support the next generation of tradespeople as they navigate their apprenticeship journeys.”

Sam Adams, President of HiMark Occupational Skills Training Centre, would like to thank those who participated and supported the event. “This is the first year we decided to utilize our annual golf tournament to raise money for a charitable cause and SOY was the unanimous choice. We understand the importance of promoting the skilled trades to the next generation. We are greatly appreciative of non-profit partners such as SOY who play an essential role facilitating between industries, trade partners, government bodies, school boards, and prospective apprentices. Supporting the future of the skilled trades workforce takes a collaborative effort between us all. HiMark is committed to contribute and give back to the community through our top tier training programs, our continuous outreach efforts and all charitable endeavours.”

The HiMark Golf Tournament highlighted the commitment and dedication of everyone involved in advancing the skilled trades industry. HiMark, a leading HVAC training provider, has been serving the industry since 1995 and is recognized for its quality education and accredited programs. With six campuses across Ontario, HiMark provides students with the skills, confidence, and industry contacts needed to thrive in their HVAC careers. Their partnership with Support Ontario Youth underscores the importance of collaboration in fostering a well-equipped and confident workforce that is essential for the future of the skilled trades industry. Through ongoing and future partnerships, the next generation of tradespeople will be equipped to lead and sustain the industry’s future.

For more information, please visit www.himark.ca and www.supportontarioyouth.ca.

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Female representation in Ontario’s construction industry totals only 3.8%, according to BuildForce Canada. This tremendous gender disparity has a substantial effect on the industry and Canada’s economy as a whole. It is anticipated that Canada will need to recruit 300,000 more workers in the next decade to meet the rising demand, a massive task that needs to be met head-on. Women make up only 4.8% of new apprentice registrations, with only 2% completing their training. This indicates not only significant barriers to entry but also hurdles to the completion of apprenticeships.

“Half of the world’s population is female, making half of the labour force female. If we really want to effect change and increase the participation of women in the various sectors of the skilled trades, we need to start creating work environments that are more inclusive,” says Melanie Winter, Program Director for the industrial and motive power trades at Support Ontario Youth.

“It’s important that industry and education partner to show young women what a career path in the trades would look like – representation, positive role models and early exposure to the endless career opportunities for journeypersons are key if we really want to inspire future generations to lead the change necessary to build diverse workforces in each sector. ”

Support Ontario Youth (SOY) is part of the solution – actively seeking to attract and assist female apprentices throughout their journey, providing mentorship and a range of supports, including the recent introduction of a new section on their website aimed specifically at women in the trades.

New Web Portal Supporting Women in their Trades Journeys

Visit www.supportontarioyouth.ca/women-in-trades, and you will find helpful information speaking directly to females in, or looking to enter, the skilled trades. The page states, “We strongly believe that a range of resources and support can make a significant difference to an apprentice’s advancement and retention to help ensure they complete their journey to become a qualified journeyperson.”

This portion of the website also addresses support for employers, showing why female apprentices can be valuable assets, with information on the supports SOY can offer throughout the hiring, training, mentoring and funding process. It also provides a one-of-a-kind networking page, linking various organizations that specialize in promoting, supporting, and funding women’s apprenticeships – providing awareness and access to helpful resources in one central location.

Further Support for Female Apprentices

SOY has been fortunate to collaborate with numerous organizations that share the aim to assist and empower women in the trades. Notable examples include the partnership between SOY, BOLT, and OBCT to create the BOLT Women in Construction Scholarship, as well as the partnership with Saniflo SFA Group for their Apprentice Journey Plumbing Scholarship, that covers the costs of classroom training for a female plumbing apprentice over the five years of their apprenticeship.

SOY’s Program Director for construction trades, Glenda Rahn, understands the importance of these organizations working together to enhance female participation in the skilled trades.

“Partnerships are key – a collaboration with other organizations with common goals provides a holistic approach to enable female apprentices to be prepared for potential roadblocks and to ensure a successful completion of an apprenticeship.”

Assistance for apprentices can take various forms; Glenda elaborates, “Supports such as safety training, job readiness, mentorship and awareness of the culture of the trades, along with a shift of employers’ mindset, can help to provide a rewarding educational experience.”

SOY believes strongly in the power of mentorship and seeks to partner new apprentices with successful women within their chosen trade.

One such mentor with SOY is Brandi Ferenc, a licensed Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic and an active and passionate advocate for women in the skilled trades. With over 14 years of experience in the trades, she provides unique insights and mentorship to female apprentices in various trades.

“Mentorship is key for the recruitment and retention of women into the skilled trades. It is a unique experience as a female navigating a male-dominated landscape, and having the support of a mentor can ensure they thrive as opposed to just survive”, explains Brandi.

Through collaborative efforts by various organizations and vocal leaders willing to challenge the status quo, the barriers to women entering and achieving success in the skilled trades are weakening. While change may be slow, significant steps are being taken in the right direction. With this new website, SOY hopes to strengthen that direction for all women who need to understand where to start and what supports are out there to ensure their success within the skilled trades.

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