Many young Canadians feel uncertain about career decisions, especially given that youth unemployment was more than double the national rate in 2024. At the same time, demand for skilled trades is growing, offering stable and clear pathways into the labour market. The key is confidence, which doesn’t come from years spent only in classrooms. It’s built through hands-on experience, practice, and seeing real progress.
Why Training Matters
Practical, applied learning allows students to connect what they learn to how it’s used in real workplaces. By engaging directly with tools, technologies, and real-world scenarios, students gain a clearer understanding of how their skills translate beyond the classroom. This experiential approach helps their confidence grow faster than through theory alone, reinforcing a sense of purpose, relevance, and readiness for the workforce.
Building Job-Ready Skills Through Applied Learning
Skilled trades training is designed to reflect real working environments. Through hands-on training, students practice industry-standard techniques, follow safety protocols, and meet professional standards—while strengthening teamwork and problem-solving skills. By practicing these skills in realistic settings, students are better prepared for what employers expect, smoothing the transition from training to employment.
Opening Doors to In-Demand Careers Across Canada
Canada continues to face a significant demand for skilled trade professionals. Projections point to hundreds of thousands of job openings in construction and related trades over the next decade, driven by industry growth and upcoming retirements. Careers in construction, carpentry, plumbing, refrigeration, air conditioning, gas fitting, and electrical work offer accessible, rewarding pathways for youth, newcomers, and those considering a career change, all while allowing individuals to contribute directly to the communities they live in.
Confidence as the First Step to a Meaningful Career
As students build practical skills, their confidence grows alongside their competence. Exploring careers in the skilled trades and technologies offers Canadians a meaningful, hands-on path forward, one that supports personal growth, strengthens communities, and helps meet the country’s evolving workforce needs.
Author: Dennis Cinello, President of Herzing College Skilled Trades Division
