Thursday, March 26, 2026 Exploring Opportunities in the Skilled Trades: Finding the Right Fit for You Blogs Construction Careers in the skilled trades are a hot commodity—and for good reason! Across Ontario (and Canada), the demand for skilled workers is growing, while the supply of qualified tradespeople struggles to keep up. This shortage is expected to continue for many years, creating incredible opportunities for anyone interested in a hands-on, rewarding career. But with so many trades to choose from and so much information out there, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. At CLAC, we often hear questions like: What is an apprenticeship? What is a Red Seal trade? How do I start an apprenticeship? What’s the difference between compulsory and non-compulsory trades? And of course, the most common question of all: Which trade should I pursue? An apprenticeship is an education pathway with a combination of on-the-job training and technical classroom instruction. You earn a wage while learning your trade, working under the supervision of experienced journeypersons in order to become a journeyperson yourself. A Red Seal trade is a nationally recognized certification that allows you to work anywhere in Canada. Compulsory trades, like sheet metal workers or plumbers, require you to be a registered apprentice or certified journeyperson to work in the trade. Non-compulsory or voluntary trades don’t require certification to perform that type of work but still value the training and experience it provides. When people think about construction trades, a few familiar ones often come to mind: Electrician Plumber Carpenter Welder We often hear about people being interested in HVAC, which stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, but it’s not actually its own trade. It’s a sector of the construction industry that includes several different trades, such as refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, sheet metal workers, and gas technicians. These “big four” trades are all excellent career paths, but because they’re so well known, many other great opportunities get overlooked. Did you know that there are over 144 trades in Ontario where you can do an apprenticeship? And many lesser-known trades don’t get as much attention but are just as important and often in greater demand. BuildForce Canada, which tracks construction labour market trends, released a report showing that several trades could face a shortage of journeypersons between 2024 and 2033. These included: Roofer Floorcovering Installer Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer) Welder Painter & Decorator Heavy Equipment Operator (Tractor - Loader - Backhoe) Bricklayer Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) Insulator (Heat and Frost) Boilermaker Mobile Crane Operator Instrumentation & Control Technician Construction Millwright Carpenter Glazier Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Each of these trades plays a vital role in building and servicing our communities and our homes. Because demand for these workers is high, pursuing one of these trades could give you a real advantage when it comes to finding stable, long-term work. To explore these career options, we encourage you to do as much research as possible. Talk to your friends, family, colleagues, and others in your community to learn more about the opportunities around you. You can also check out Skilled Trades Ontario and Red Seal Canada. Community events like Level Up! career fairs are another great way to network and learn more about the trades. And don’t forget that CLAC is here to help! Whether you have questions about apprenticeship, are looking to get your start in construction, or need to get some training, we can help you! www.clac.ca/training - For your training needs! www.clac.ca/apprenticeship - To learn more about apprenticeship! www.clac.ca/jobs - To join the CLAC Jobs program! clac.ca/swic: Supporting Women In Construction! The skilled trades are the backbone of our economy. They build our communities, power our industries, and keep the world moving forward. With so many opportunities available and the growing demand for qualified workers, now is the perfect time to explore a career in the trades. No matter what path you choose, remember: Every trade has value, every worker has purpose, and the best career is the one that best suits you. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026