（By River）Ontario is expanding its efforts to connect students, parents, and job seekers with skilled trades careers through its Level Up! skilled trades career fairs.
The fairs are open to all students, parents and job seekers and are designed to showcase in-demand trades in a hands-on, interactive way.
This initiative is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to address labour shortages, especially in sectors where skilled trades are increasingly essential.
By promoting these careers early and giving students exposure, the government hopes to ease transition into trades and apprenticeship pathways.
According to the announcement, the program aims to help students see “first-hand what’s possible in the skilled trades,” including opportunities for mentorship and apprenticeship.
The province is encouraging organizations to support these fairs to increase visibility of skilled trades as viable, rewarding career paths.
According to Candice White, CEO of Skilled Trades Ontario, “building a strong and resilient workforce starts with giving young people real exposure to the skilled trades. The Level Up! career fairs make that possible by connecting students and job seekers directly with tradespeople and employers.”
Career fairs are taking place across 12 communities for a total of 29 days between September 17 and December 12, 2025:
• Grafton: September 17–18
• Barrie: October 1–2
• Sudbury: October 8–9
• Timmins: October 15–16
• Thunder Bay: October 22–23
• Windsor: October 29–30
• Hamilton: November 5–6
• London: November 11–13
• Oshawa: November 18–20
• Mississauga: November 25–28
• Kingston: December 2–3
• Ottawa: December 10–12
