Skilled Trades Ontario has released its 2026-2029 strategic plan, outlining how the provincial agency intends to improve apprenticeship and certification services through faster digital processes, updated training standards and expanded industry engagement.
The strategy marks the agency's next phase after STO assumed responsibility for apprenticeship registration, examinations and certificates of apprenticeship in April 2025, becoming Ontario's point of contact for apprenticeship and certification services. Over the next three years, the agency plans to focus on improving service delivery while supporting workforce development across the province.
"Ontario's skilled trades sector has reached a pivotal moment, with innovation and infrastructure growth driving an urgent need for a highly skilled workforce," said board chair Michael G. Sherrard, in the release. "Over the next three years, we will focus on strengthening industry partnerships, improving access to services, expanding awareness, and building a resilient sector."
The plan is built around five strategic priorities: streamlining registration and certification, modernizing training standards and curriculum, increasing public awareness of skilled trades careers, improving equity opportunity and access, and strengthening stakeholder engagement and service delivery. Planned initiatives include expanding access to certification exams across Ontario, improving the agency's digital registration portal, updating training standards to reflect evolving industry needs and establishing regional hubs, an employer support unit and dedicated apprenticeship advisors.
The strategy also calls for increased outreach through marketing campaigns and career fairs, while introducing measures to support underrepresented groups, internationally trained professionals and Canadian Armed Forces members and their spouses entering Ontario's skilled trades workforce.
Since its launch in 2022, STO reports issuing more than 30,500 certificates of apprenticeship and 23,000 certificates of qualification while registering more than 60,700 training agreements with first-time apprentices.
The complete 2026-2029 strategic plan is available through Skilled Trades Ontario.
