A series of hands-on training programs, aimed at getting young people into the trades in Ontario, has exceeded expectations.
In June of last year, Support Ontario Youth (SOY) had a goal of signing up at least 140 new apprentices through 70 one-day boot camps, funded through a provincial investment of nearly $4 million.
SOY Director of External Affairs Craig Brockwell said earlier this month, registration numbers were well over 500.
"Even the very first [boot camp] that we had in Sarnia, in August, I think we had five jobs coming out of it," he said. "So the goal of the boot camp is basically, number one, to get young people into a trade and going through a series of exercises and getting some help on essential work skills."
Brockwell said they do four trades: millwright, electrical, mode of power and plumbing.
He said participants use their provided tools to complete a series of exercises that would simulate work they would do in the trade. Then in the afternoon, participants are provided with essential work skills.
"The importance of being on time, interacting with your employer, resume writing that's trades appropriate and interview skills," said Brockwell.
SOY also invites local employers willing to take on an apprentice to the camps, to give participants a sense of what it's like in the industry. He said after the apprentice is hired, SOY mentors both the apprentice and the employer.
"So we give them all sorts of support, and I think that's one of the reasons why we've been so successful as an organization is the mentoring at both ends of the stick."
Brockwell said provincial funding for the boot camps basically comes to end this month. He said if it's not extended, they'll be going out actively to seek funds to continue running the programs.
Brockwell said on average, between 20 and 30 participants attended each boot camp, 10 adult camps and 60 for students. Some scheduled camps did not go ahead due to COVID restrictions and adverse weather.
At the time of the interview, SOY had another seven or so boot camps still to host with in excess of 50 people on their waiting list.
Take a look at our electrical Boot Camp event in Sarnia! pic.twitter.com/XyXmQGQzvN
— Support Ontario Youth (@supportONyouth) March 16, 2022
