Kingston Students Showcase Skills in Annual Trades Competition

Hundreds of elementary and secondary school students gathered at St. Lawrence College on March 14, 2024, to participate in the annual Limestone District School Board Skills Competition. This event, taking place during the college’s reading week, provided a platform for students to demonstrate their talents in various trades and technology-based challenges.

The competition featured over two dozen skills, including carpentry, plumbing, electronics, mechanics, robotics, auto repair, hair design, and culinary arts. With participation numbers soaring, the event has grown significantly over the years. According to Courtney Soucy, a recruiter for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), the number of elementary participants has increased from around 60 or 70 to nearly 300 in just four years. Soucy attributes this growth to the integration of robotics into elementary classrooms, which has sparked interest among students.

Soucy’s role involves recruiting high school students as apprentices, allowing them to gain practical experience before graduation. Currently, nearly 300 OYAP students are enrolled in the Limestone area, with about 40 registered as apprentices. This indicates that employers are recognizing the potential in these students and are committed to training them for future careers.

The competition aligns with the Skills Ontario framework, emphasizing hands-on learning, creativity, and problem-solving skills. It presents students with the opportunity to explore various career pathways, which is crucial given the pressing need for skilled tradespeople in Ontario. Soucy highlighted a workforce crisis, with the province estimating that between 190,000 and 250,000 positions could remain unfilled in the coming years due to an aging workforce.

“The average age of skilled tradespeople right now is 65,” Soucy noted, emphasizing the urgent need to address this gap. The shortage is impacting sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and transit, leading to rising costs and delays in major infrastructure projects. Additionally, a cultural shift towards university education over vocational training has contributed to this issue, as many students are steered away from pursuing skilled trades.

Soucy criticized the historical removal of shop classes from schools, which contributed to a negative perception of trades as lesser career options. “Authorities now see how that was a bad move,” she stated, reflecting on the changes in educational policy. Recently, technology classes have become mandatory for students in grades 9 and 10, aiming to foster greater interest in trades.

In a positive development, the Ontario government announced a significant investment of approximately $2.5 billion into the Skills Development Fund over three years, which includes $260 million specifically for training projects. Additional funding of $64.2 million is designated for apprenticeship training, demonstrating a commitment to addressing the skills gap in the province.

The competition also provides a platform for students who may struggle academically to showcase their talents. Soucy remarked, “Some of these kids aren’t always the ones doing very well in school — academic grades and behaviour. So, it’s nice that they get the chance to show everyone that they’re good at something.”

An encouraging trend is the increasing number of female students participating in skilled trades, a shift Soucy attributes to greater visibility and opportunities in these fields. “It was never shown to me. I never took a skilled trade class in high school,” she said, reflecting on her own experiences. “Now, I see all these girls here, seeing what they can do. It’s incredible.”

Beja Mallen, head of the tech department at Sydenham High School and a judge in the culinary arts competition, shared insights into the challenges faced by students. Participants were tasked with butchering a chicken and preparing various dishes, including a chicken consommé, pierogi-inspired appetizers, and stuffed chicken as the main course.

Mallen expressed concern for the future of culinary education, noting that St. Lawrence College’s culinary arts programs are among those suspended due to budget cuts. Local restaurateur Tim Pater, who judged the competition, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for accessible local training programs. “A lot of these kids can’t afford to go to George Brown College in Toronto,” he said.

While local high schools are stepping in to fill the gap with culinary and hospitality programs, Pater emphasized the importance of comprehensive training for managerial roles, which are becoming increasingly difficult to fill. “Without the post-secondary training, they aren’t learning the business or administrative skills that you would learn in a college program,” he stated.

Despite the challenges posed by the suspension of local culinary programs, Pater remains optimistic about the future of the hospitality industry. “I’m just trying to encourage young people and let them know there are real careers in the hospitality business, but you have to be passionate about it,” he said, reinforcing the importance of fostering interest in skilled trades among youth.

Some competitors from this year’s skills competition will have the opportunity to represent their district at the provincial level during the Ontario Skills Competition in Toronto, set to take place in early May. This chance to compete at a higher level further emphasizes the significance of such events in nurturing the next generation of skilled tradespeople.