Skilled Trades Ontario is calling for nominations for its 2026 Ontario Apprenticeship Awards, with this year’s recipients set to be recognized at the Ontario Apprenticeship Summit in Toronto on Nov. 4.
Nominations are open until Sept. 25 for four award categories recognizing outstanding apprentices, journeypersons, organizations and skilled trades leaders across the province.
“Highlighting the achievements of apprentices in any form is a way to put a face to the Skilled Trades and Technologies. Young people and their parents need to know that there are other options other than University for young people to make a good rewarding living," said Bill Speed, Skills Canada autobody chair. “Highlighting and awarding apprentices achievements also gives other apprentices something to strive for in their career development.”
The Skilled Trades Ontario Outstanding Apprentice Award will recognize four apprentices -- one from each region of Ontario -- who demonstrate dedication, leadership and strong performance in their trade.
Other categories include the Skilled Trades Ontario Award of Excellence, recognizing contributions to apprenticeship and certification, as well as the Outstanding Journeyperson Award, presented by Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to a journeyperson recognized for mentoring and supporting an apprentice.
Organizations demonstrating leadership in workplace safety are also eligible for the Skilled Trades Ontario Trades Safety Champion Award.
The 2026 Ontario Apprenticeship Awards will be presented during the Ontario Apprenticeship Summit at the Toronto Congress Centre.
Skilled Trades Ontario is the provincial agency responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario. The organization said the awards are intended to celebrate individuals and organizations helping strengthen Ontario’s skilled trades and apprenticeship system.
To submit a nomination, visit Skilled Trades Ontario’s call for nominations page.
