Support Ontario Youth Announces First Trades & Talent Summit: Building Connections and Promoting Growth Across the Skilled Trades Industry

January 28, 2025

Support Ontario Youth (SOY) is thrilled to announce its first-ever Trades & Talent Summit, a hiring event aimed at connecting individuals with opportunities to pursue a career in the skilled trades.

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.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Why Business ERP Software Integrations Matter for Modern Estimating Teams

    Why Business ERP Software Integrations Matter for Modern Estimating Teams

    March 2, 2026 By Melvin Newman, Patabid CEO Construction estimating is a high-stakes game. For large electrical contractors managing multiple projects, millions in material costs, and dozens of estimators, the margin for error is razor-thin. A misquoted job doesn’t just lose money—it can tie up crews, strain supplier relationships, and ripple through your entire operation. Read More…

  • Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen Statement on International Women’s Day

    Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen Statement on International Women’s Day

    March 2, 2026 This International Women’s Day, the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT) proudly celebrates the leadership, resilience, and collective power of women in the trades across Ontario. This year’s theme is Give to Gain, which highlights the strength of reciprocity and collective support. When tradeswomen, organizations, and communities uplift each other through generosity, opportunities for women Read More…

  • Recall: PureVolt Photoelectric Smoke Detector Recalled Due to Potential Failure to Operate

    Recall: PureVolt Photoelectric Smoke Detector Recalled Due to Potential Failure to Operate

    March 2, 2026 This recall involves Purevolt Photoelectric Smoke Detector model SD119-4 for fire alarm systems, compatible with 4 wires, 12V DC. The product measures 100mm x 48mm and is intended for indoor use, with ceiling or wall mounting. The model number can be found on the label affixed to the back of the product. Issue Health Canada’s sampling Read More…

  • Sustainable Urban Development Starts with Streetlighting Transformation in Val-D’or

    Sustainable Urban Development Starts with Streetlighting Transformation in Val-D’or

    March 2, 2026 The City of Val-d’Or, in the heart of Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, undertook a major streetlight revitalization project on 7th Street, a principal north-south artery. By updating public lighting, it would improve energy efficiency, give this iconic area a contemporary look, and preserve its urban identity. Old streetlights on 7th Street had been Read More…


Changing Scene