Skilled Trades Ontario Celebrates New Exam Centres

June 8, 2026

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) is improving access to certification for apprentices in Northwestern Ontario by opening the Agency’s first examination centre in Kenora. CEO Candice White joined the Honourable David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and Minister Rickford to mark the announcement at Seven Generations Education Institute in Kenora.

The Kenora centre is the latest addition to a province-wide network of 24 partnerships between colleges and institutions across Ontario, giving apprentices the ability to write their certifying exams closer to where they live, work, and learn.

“Apprentices across Ontario have told us what a five-hour drive to an exam centre meant for their certification – in time, in cost, and in delays,” shares CEO Candice White. “For too long, that has been the reality. Bringing certifying exams to apprentices exactly where they are changes that. This is what the apprenticeship pathway should look like – meeting apprentices where they are, with the consistency and integrity they deserve. We’re grateful for our industry partners and to the STO team who made this possible.”

The exam centres are located at:

• Centennial College, Ashtonbee Campus
• Durham College, Whitby Campus
• Georgian College, Midland Campus
• George Brown College, Casa Loma Campus
• Humber College, Trades and Technology Campus
• Skilled Trades Ontario Headquarters
• Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus
• Algonquin College, Pembroke Campus
• Fleming College, Peterborough Campus
• Loyalist College, Belleville Campus
• St. Lawrence College, Cornwall Campus
• St. Lawrence College, Kingston Campus
• Canadore College, Commerce Court Campus
• Collège Boréal, Timmins Campus
• Collège Boréal, Sudbury Campus
• Confederation College, Thunder Bay Campus
• Confederation College, Kenora Campus
• Sault College, Sault Ste. Marie Campus
• Conestoga College, Skilled Trades Campus
• Fanshawe College, London Campus
• Georgian College, Owen Sound Campus
• Lambton College, Sarnia Campus
• Mohawk College, Stoney Creek Campus
• St. Clair College, Windsor Campus

STO has delivered more than 7,200 exams across this network of exam centres throughout the province. This total is exclusive of final-level exam offerings which boast an additional 5,400 exams. Behind this number is a dedicated team of Skilled Trades Ontario staff who set up and manage these examination locations every day. They are the reason we can ensure the integrity of the exam experience at each of our sites.

“The opening of the examination centres reflects STO’s continued commitment to improving client service and expanding equitable access to certification across the province,” said Board Chair Michael Sherrard. “This milestone strengthens Ontario’s skilled trades system, supports the growth of a highly qualified workforce, and reflects ongoing efforts to expand regional access and improve service for apprentices, sponsors and employers across Ontario.”

These examination centres will make Ontario’s certification system for apprentices more accessible, responsive and equitable by bringing essential services closer to communities. This work is helping strengthen the skilled trades workforce that will build Ontario’s future.

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