Ottawa residents aged 18 to 29 now have a new, tuition-free way into the skilled trades, through a partnership between Youth Ottawa and Willis College. The six-week pre-trades program is open to eligible young adults in the city and is designed to connect them directly with local employers who are looking for workers.
What the Program Covers
The program provides about 25 hours of training a week, and participants complete 120 hours of training in total while earning industry certifications along the way. By the end of the program, participants will have attained three industry certifications. Over those 120 hours, participants are introduced to areas including construction, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, insulation and green technologies, giving them a broad look at where they might specialize.
Eligible participants pay no tuition and receive the personal protective equipment they need for training, including a hard hat and steel-toed work boots, at no cost. The first cohort will begin training at the Willis College campus in Ottawa in October 2026.
Why Youth Ottawa and Willis College Teamed Up
Jesse Card, Executive Director of Youth Ottawa, described the collaboration as a new way of working together. "We're bringing together our group, which has supported young people for more than 30 years; Willis College, with 160 years of training experience; and businesses that understand what their workforce needs," Card said.
Henry Devlin, President and CEO of Willis College, said the program is meant to give young Ottawa residents a real head start. "This program gives young people practical skills, real exposure to industry and a clearer sense of where they can go from here," Devlin said.
Youth Ottawa has supported young people in the city for more than 30 years, while Willis College brings 160 years of training experience to the partnership.
Employers Are Already Involved
The program is backed by an industry advisory committee that began with six or seven homebuilders and skilled trades companies and has since grown to about 15 employers. That growth suggests local businesses are eager to have a hand in shaping the training their future workers receive, rather than waiting to hire once the program ends.
How It's Funded
The program is funded by the Ontario government through Employment Ontario and the Skills Development Fund. David Piccini, Ontario's Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said the fund is meant to open doors for workers across the province. "Through the Skills Development Fund, we're creating new opportunities for people to build rewarding careers while strengthening the workforce that will build Ontario's homes, deliver critical infrastructure and drive economic growth," Piccini said.
With the first cohort set to start at Willis College's Ottawa campus in October, the partnership will be an early test of how well a short, intensive, employer-backed program can move young residents from the classroom into paid trades work.
Sources: Ottawa Business Journal, Willis College (official)
