Diversity Institute and ADaPT for Black Youth Program Team Connect with Black Youth in Ottawa

Skilled trades are a cornerstone of Canada’s economic growth. As Canada prioritizes major building and infrastructure projects, and young people face high unemployment, there is a renewed focus on gaining new skills and creating pathways to jobs. From building homes and maintaining public infrastructure to repairing essential equipment and powering industries, workers in the skilled trades sector keep the country running. Yet the sector is facing a critical workforce challenge: more than 700,000 skilled tradespeople are projected to retire by 2028, creating urgent demand for the next generation of workers.

In February 2026, the Diversity Institute’s (DI) Executive Director and expert in inclusive information systems, Dr. Mohamed Elmi, participated in the Umoja Series - Skilled Trades & Tech event in Ottawa.  Hosted by Skills Ontario, the Umoja series is designed to support historically underserved groups like Black, Indigenous, racialized and newcomer youth and their families as they explore post-secondary pathways into skilled trades and technology sectors. 

In conversation with Chris Campbell, former President of Carpenters’ Union Local 27 Toronto and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Representative for the Carpenters’ Regional Council, Elmi discussed certification pathways, apprenticeship opportunities, résumé development and interview preparation. “Diversity Institute research shows that education and skills training are critical drivers of economic inclusion,” explains Elmi. "We work to translate evidence into action and strengthen training pathways into high-growth sectors for Black youth.” 

The event featured a tradeshow where Jaclyn Meilach, DI Career Coordinator for its skills development and training programs, engaged directly with youth attendees to expand awareness of rewarding career pathways, highlight in-demand technical and digital competencies developed in the sector, and share information about building skills through the Government of Ontario-funded Advanced Digital and Professional Training (ADaPT) for Black Youth program. 

Despite strong earnings potential and clear pathways to advancement, a career in skilled trades continues to be hampered by outdated stereotypes. In reality, skilled tradespeople often earn competitive wages, in many cases outpacing other professions, and benefit from “earn-while-you-learn” apprenticeship models that allow them to gain paid experience while training. In contrast to more conventional pathways to employment, tradespeople can progress through their training to employment without incurring significant debt. While the sector is also highly gendered, with women significantly underrepresented, a growing proportion of tradespeople are Black. 2025 Statistics Canada data shows that Black workers represent 13.9% of those in trades, transport, equipment operators, and related occupations, compared to 14.9% of the total population. 

Recent research by DI and Environics, funded by the Future Skills Centre (FSC), also suggests Canadians are becoming more receptive to careers in the trades. Further, those more likely to recommend a trade school or apprenticeship program overall a university program to a young person included Indigenous Peoples (65%) and Black people (64%). DI research has also shown many Black youth have the talent but lack the social capital and connections to access employment as well as the knowledge of the range of opportunities available. They also may need additional supports to access training and career opportunities. Investing upstream is key; DI works in collaboration with education institutions and community organizations, such as the Peel District School Board, to improve access to career-oriented information and guidance to support youth, their family and career counsellors. 

A number of programs are designed to pre-qualify young racialized people for red seal trades. For example, Hammer Heads, created by Central Ontario Building Trades, supports at-risk youth through a skills and employment-based program in the construction industry. FSC funded the IntegratED program, delivered by the Momentum Centre in Manitoba, to provide work-integrated learning opportunities to immigrants and international students in STEM. Increasingly large infrastructure investments are coupled with community benefits investments which can include training for under-represented segments of the population, including Black youth. Black students in York Region District School Board are increasingly overrepresented in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), although completion rates are uneven when compared to students of other races.  

DI offers several training and skills evidence-based development programs aimed at different segments of the population including the Black community. Guided by the Skills for Success Framework (external link) , the ADaPT for Black Youth program equips participants aged 15 to 29 across Ontario with digital, professional and employment-ready skills to help them secure meaningful, safe and dignified work aligned with their aspirations. The program has an 85% placement rate.  DI always starts with where the jobs are, taking an employer-centered approach to ensure the programs deliver. DI’s MyStartr (external link)  program created with large employers such as Bell Canada, Starbucks, Home Depot and Walmart Canada, aims at providing marginalized youth with the information, training and skills needed to be “interview ready”.  Building on  previous work with Peel School Board, DI is now working with MyBlueprint (external link) , which reaches over 6,500 schools and 1,000,000 users, to further support youth on their career and planning journeys.

As Canada confronts significant labour shortages in the skilled trades, expanding access for Black youth is both an equity imperative and an economic necessity. Investing in Black talent strengthens Canada’s workforce, fuels innovation and builds long-term economic resilience.