The Trades Report began at the request of a guidance counsellor who wanted Ontario students, families, and educators to have a trusted resource focused on the trades and apprenticeship. The goal was simple but important: to help school communities better understand the opportunities available in the trades and to show that these pathways can lead to secure, well-paid, and meaningful careers.

Many students and families are still not fully aware of the range of opportunities within the skilled trades or the benefits of apprenticeship. The Trades Report was created to help close that gap by providing clear, practical, and Ontario-focused information that supports informed pathway planning. Each issue is designed to raise awareness of skilled trades and apprenticeship as viable and respected postsecondary pathways.

The Trades Report supports guidance conversations, classroom learning, and family discussions by sharing information on trades pathways, high school programs such as Co-op, OYAP, SHSM, and Dual Credit, labour market information, practical next steps, and real-world stories from students and tradespeople. Today, The Trades Report supports more than 30 Ontario school boards with resources that help students explore future-ready pathways with confidence.