2025 Skills Ontario Competition & Career Exploration Showcase Highlights the Future Skilled Trade and Technology Workforce

May 5, 2025

Canada’s largest skilled trades and technology conference, the Skills Ontario Competition, is back at the Toronto Congress Centre May 5^th – May 6^th.

Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario, said Skills Ontario is changing lives and inspiring leaders through skilled trades and technologies through events like the Skills Ontario Competition.

“We look forward to welcoming students from across Ontario to compete in the Skills Ontario Competition to showcase their skills, knowledge and passion for their craft,” said Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario. “The young people participating in this event are the future skilled trade and technology leaders of Ontario, and our staff wish everyone competing the best of luck and to have fun.”

Started in 1989, the Skills Ontario Competition offers a unique opportunity for top students to demonstrate that they are the best of the best in their skilled trade or technology field.

Over the two days, competitors will turn the heads of their educators, family, friends and prospective employers as they compete in over 75+ different skilled trade and technology contests.

The Skills Ontario Competition is free and open to the public to attend both days. No registration is required.

In addition to observing the contests, spectators can also explore the Career Exploration Showcase which features over 75 employers, labour unions, colleges, and more. Spectators can try hands-on activities at the showcase and see if a career in the skilled trades or technologies is right for them.

A variety of pre-registered conferences will also be running during the Skills Ontario Competition, including the Young Women’s Conferences, the FNMI Student Conference, the Skilled Trades Conference for Guidance Educators, and the Provincial Entrepreneurship Showcase.

On the morning of May 7^th, a Closing Ceremony will be held to end the event and announce the winners of each contest. Winners are awarded with gold, silver or bronze medals, and some will also receive monetary awards, along with the opportunity for select contests to compete at the Skills Canada National Competition in Regina, Sask.

Every odd-numbered year serves as a WorldSkills qualifying year for Team Canada. Competitors who win gold and meet the eligibility criteria at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) 2025 will earn the opportunity to represent Canada at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China in 2026. Following that, the next WorldSkills Competition is scheduled to take place in Aichi, Japan in 2028. WorldSkills is a global organization comprised of 89 member countries and regions dedicated to promoting skills excellence and development. Through international cooperation among industry, government, and educational institutions, WorldSkills organizes biennial competitions that showcase the highest standards in vocational skills.

Event Details

• Title: 2025 Skills Ontario Competition
• Location: The Toronto Congress Centre (650 Dixon Road)
• Date: May 5^th – May 6^th, 2025
• Closing Ceremony the morning of May 7th
• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Monday & Tuesday)
• 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Wednesday)

For more information about the 2025 Skills Ontario Competition, visit skillsontario.com/competition-visitors