Connecting young adults in Ottawa with tuition-free skilled trades training

A new initiative is giving young adults a chance to explore careers in the skilled trades without the cost of tuition.

Willis College and Youth Ottawa have partnered to deliver a six-week, tuition-free pre-trades program for eligible Ottawa residents aged 18 to 29. It’s designed to help young adults build practical skills, gain industry-recognized safety training and make connections with local employers.

For participants who are unemployed, underemployed or not currently enrolled in school or training, it can also provide a starting point toward an apprenticeship or career in the trades.

This Employment Ontario program is funded by the Government of Ontario. 

A chance to explore before choosing a trade 

Training takes place at Willis College’s Ottawa campus and was developed with input from local employers to reflect the skills and knowledge needed on today’s jobsites.

One of the goals of the program is to give participants room to explore. Rather than choosing a single trade from day one, they can build a foundation of useful skills, get exposure to several different fields and hear directly from people already working in the industry.

Over 120 hours of training, participants are introduced to areas including construction, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, insulation and green technologies.

The program is divided into three 40-hour modules:

• Jobsite Entry: Safety and Readiness introduces workplace hazards, traffic control, first aid and safety communication.
• Foundations: Tools and Trades Fundamentals gives participants experience with tools, blueprint reading, trade math and skills used across different trades, while helping them explore areas they may want to pursue further.
• Futureproofing: Green and Resilience Skills introduces emerging areas such as energy efficiency, solar installation and electric vehicle infrastructure, along with workplace communication skills.

Participants earn a micro-credential after completing each module.

The program also gets students out of the classroom. Guest speakers, contractors and industry representatives will connect with participants during the six weeks through presentations, networking and site visits.

Removing some of the barriers to getting started

Starting a new career path can come with upfront costs, especially in the skilled trades. This program is designed to remove some of those barriers before participants ever step onto a jobsite.

Eligible participants pay no tuition and receive the personal protective equipment they need for training, including a hard hat, safety glasses, safety vest, hearing protection and steel-toed work boots. Laptops are also available on loan for coursework.

Participants will also be connected with Youth Ottawa’s broader programming, including mentorship, networking opportunities, entrepreneurship workshops and leadership development that can continue beyond the six-week program.

Building a pathway into the trades

For Willis College, this program is a natural fit: practical, career-focused training that connects learning with what employers are looking for in the real world. That connection between training and what comes next is central to Willis College’s approach to education and to our promise to prepare you for what’s next. 

“Education works best when it leads to a great next step,” says Henry Devlin, President and CEO of Willis College. “This program gives young people practical skills, real exposure to industry and a clearer sense of where they can go from here. That’s exactly the kind of opportunity Willis College wants to help create.”

“As the world faces growing global economic uncertainty, our government is making sure Ontario workers have the skills they need to succeed and employers have the talent they need to grow,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “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. These investments are helping protect workers, strengthen communities and keep Ontario competitive.”

Read the Government of Ontario funding announcement

Read the Ottawa Business Journal article: How Youth Ottawa is helping build Ottawa’s next generation of skilled trades workers

The first cohort of this program will begin training at the Willis College campus in Ottawa in October of 2026.

Learn more: Explore TradeUp Ottawa