Build Skills. Build Your Future: Tuition-Free Skilled Trades Training Now Open for Ottawa Youth

Registration is now open for a new skilled trades training and career exploration opportunity for young adults ages 18–29 in Ottawa.

Youth Ottawa and Willis College are partnering to help young adults build practical skills, earn valuable credentials, meet employers and explore the many career and apprenticeship pathways available in the skilled trades.

You don't need to have your entire career figured out before getting started.

Whether you already see yourself building a future in the skilled trades or you’re simply trying to figure out what comes next, this program is designed to give you a practical place to start.

Hands-On Training. Real Skills. Real Career Exploration.

Participants will receive hands-on skilled trades training through Willis College, combining practical learning, workplace readiness and industry-recognized certifications with exposure to skilled trades careers and local employers.

Training will introduce participants to areas including:

  • Jobsite readiness and workplace safety
  • Tools and equipment
  • Construction fundamentals
  • Trade math
  • Blueprint reading
  • Employability and workplace skills
  • Emerging technologies and practices within the skilled trades

The goal isn’t simply to complete a course. It’s to give young adults practical experience while helping them understand the range of employment, apprenticeship and further-training opportunities available to them.

“There are thousands of young people in our community who know they’re ready for something more, but don’t necessarily know what that next step should be. We want to give them a practical place to start. They’ll build real skills, earn valuable certifications, meet employers and experience what a career in the skilled trades could actually look like. And as they build their future, we want Youth Ottawa to remain a resource, a network and a source of opportunity.”

— Jesse Card, Executive Director, Youth Ottawa

Who Is This For?

The program is designed for young adults ages 18–29 who are interested in building practical skills and exploring opportunities in the skilled trades.

There is a particular focus on supporting young adults who are:

  • Unemployed
  • Underemployed
  • Not currently participating in education or training
  • Considering a new career direction

Some young adults who are currently working but want to develop new skills or explore a career in the trades may also be eligible.

Most importantly, you don’t have to already think of yourself as a tradesperson.

The program is for young adults who are ready to pursue a skilled trades career and those who want to experience the sector firsthand before deciding whether it’s right for them.

We’re Removing Barriers to Getting Started

Starting a new career can come with costs before you’ve earned your first paycheque.

This program is designed to remove some of those barriers.

Participation is tuition-free and includes:

  • Free work boots
  • Free hard hat
  • Access to a loaner laptop
  • Hands-on skilled trades training
  • Workplace and industry-recognized certifications
  • Career guidance and employment support
  • Connections to employers and industry professionals

The idea is simple: come ready to learn. We’ll help you get equipped to start.

Training Connected to Opportunity

This initiative is being built around something Youth Ottawa believes is essential: young people shouldn’t just hear about career opportunities—they should have opportunities to experience them and meet the people actually doing the hiring.

Participants will have opportunities to connect with employers and industry professionals while developing practical skills, workplace behaviours and the confidence needed to take their next step.

“The skilled trades offer young people an opportunity to build practical, in-demand skills that can lead to meaningful and rewarding careers. Partnering with Youth Ottawa on this initiative is a natural extension of our commitment to community impact and 160-year legacy of providing Canadians with career-focused education.”

— Henry Devlin, President and CEO, Willis College

More Than Training

The skilled trades training and employment pathway is at the centre of the program.

But Youth Ottawa’s involvement doesn’t end when the training does.

Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with Youth Ottawa’s broader ecosystem of programs, people and opportunities across the city.

Optional opportunities may include:

  • Mentorship
  • Networking
  • Leadership development
  • Entrepreneurship workshops
  • Career-development experiences
  • Additional Youth Ottawa programs and opportunities

Our objective is to help young people succeed during training and give them a community and network they can continue accessing as their careers develop.

Your Next Career Could Start Here.

You don’t need to know exactly where you want to be five or ten years from now.

You just need somewhere to start.

Build practical skills.
Earn valuable certifications.
Meet employers.
Explore the skilled trades.
Discover what’s possible.

Registration Is Now Open

If you’re 18–29 and interested in building practical skills, exploring skilled trades careers and connecting with employers, register today.

→ Learn more and register:
https://williscollege.ca/tradeup-youth-ottawa/

This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Register Now