Make It Excellent: Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government announces campaign to encourage youth to enter the skilled trades.

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador – On February 12, 2025, the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills announced the launch of the “Make It Excellent” campaign to encourage youth to pursue the skilled trades in Newfoundland and Labrador.

As a program initiative, the “Make It Excellent” campaign specifically aims to highlight the skills, dedication and rewarding opportunities that can come with a career in the skilled trades, such as automotive repair.

Another element of the campaign--says a recent press release--is support for unemployed and underemployed individuals to complete pre-employment training programs of up to three years.

In addition to the “Make It Excellent” campaign, the provincial government further announced a number of actions to support skilled trades workforce development and training.

These actions include:

• Undertaking a review of the provincial apprenticeship system and finalizing an implementation plan for recommendations.
• Hiring a virtual learning strategist to provide customized support services for apprentices preparing to challenge the certification exam.
• Launching the Working Opportunities program, for individuals facing barriers to education and training.
• Maintaining the harmonization of 23 skilled trades with other Atlantic provinces.
• Increasing direct outreach and engagement with high school students and underemployed to promote careers in the skilled trades and careers services available through Provincial Government employment centres.
• Continuing to fund the Trades NL Indigenous Skilled Trades Office, with locations in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook, and St. John’s.
• Continuing to fund the Youth Apprenticeship Summer Program through Skills Canada Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Ongoing support for women apprentices through the Office to Advance Women Apprentices.
• Providing supports for newcomers in the skilled trades to obtain credentials and employment through the Fair Registration Practices Office.
• Increasing awareness of skilled trades by expanding outreach with industry.
• Increasing collaboration with industry and other labour market partners to determine future workforce requirements and awareness of job possibilities in the skilled trades.

For more information about the “Make It Excellent” campaign, click here.