The Ontario government is again expanding its Level Up! skilled trades career fairs with an announcement that it will bring the fairs to a total of 15 cities this fall.

This year marks the third in which the province has delivered the fairs.

“Last year, we doubled our Level Up! Career Fairs, giving thousands of students, parents and teachers a glimpse into the rewarding careers in the skilled trades – and this year, our Level Up! Career Fairs are bigger than ever,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By expanding these career fairs to seven new cities across the province, we will be able to give over 35,000 students the chance to learn about the most cutting-edge, in-demand careers in the country, with interactive exhibits that offer safe, hands-on learning opportunities.”

The new cities with career fairs include Barrie, Cobourg, Cornwall, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, North Bay, and South Porcupine (near Timmins).

Level Up! is a series of multi-day career fairs that highlight the 144 skilled trades, including automotive service technicians, boilermakers, and carpenters. Students in grades 7 to 12, as well as parents and young jobseekers, will have the opportunity to learn about these trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers.

"At Skilled Trades Ontario, we're committed to showcasing the array of meaningful opportunities available in the skilled trades,” said CEO and Registrar Melissa Young.

“The Level Up! Career Fairs allow students the chance to engage directly with these professions, providing them with practical insights and experiences that can shape their future career paths. These fairs not only highlight the possibilities within the skilled trades but also play a crucial role in building the workforce Ontario needs for the future."

Last year, more than 30,600 students, parents and teachers attended.

The first fair of this year kicked off on September 12 in Cobourg. Other locations and dates include:

• Kitchener – September 19
• Sault Ste. Marie – September 24
• Thunder Bay – September 26
• Sudbury – October 2
• South Porcupine – October 4
• Cornwall – October 8
• Ottawa – October 10 & 11
• North Bay – October 16
• Oshawa – October 22 to 24
• LaSalle – October 29
• London – November 12 & 13
• Niagara Falls – November 20 & 21
• Mississauga – November 26 to 28

The fairs are a part of the government’s plan to grow the province’s workforce by encouraging the next generation to start careers in the skilled trades and ensuring workers have the training and skills to build Ontario’s future.

It estimates that one in five new job openings in the province will be in the skilled trades-related occupations by 2028.