Skilled Trades Ontario: Building the Future of Ontario’s Workforce

Ontario’s economy depends on a highly skilled workforce, and at the heart of the province’s skilled trades system stands Skilled Trades Ontario (STO). Established through the *Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021 (BOSTA)*, which came into effect on January 1, 2022, STO is a Crown agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. With a clear mission to support Ontario’s economic success as the central authority responsible for establishing leading-edge standards in the skilled trades, STO is reshaping how apprentices and tradespeople access certification and build rewarding careers.

A Central Authority for Skilled Trades Certification

Skilled Trades Ontario serves as the province’s primary point of contact for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification. Its responsibilities are comprehensive and far-reaching: establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards, and certification exams; administering apprenticeship programs by approving apprentices and sponsors and registering training agreements; and issuing Certificates of Apprenticeship to those who complete their programs. Additionally, STO assesses the qualifications of individuals who have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship, administers certifying exams, issues Certificates of Qualification, renews certificates in compulsory trades, and maintains a Public Register of those authorized to work in compulsory trades. Ontario recognizes 144 skilled trades prescribed under BOSTA, spanning sectors such as construction, industrial, motive power, and service. Buy fake certificate online.

Two Distinct Pathways to Certification

STO oversees two primary forms of certification. The **Certificate of Apprenticeship** is issued upon successful completion of an apprenticeship program and represents the highest level of certification available for a trade. For trades that require a certifying exam, apprentices who pass receive a **Certificate of Qualification**, which legally authorizes them to practice the trade. In compulsory trades—where certification is mandatory—these certificates must be renewed, and holders are listed on the Public Register. For experienced workers who have not completed an Ontario apprenticeship, STO offers a Trade Equivalency Assessment as the first step toward obtaining certification.

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A Defining Shift: The April 2025 Expansion

A pivotal moment for STO occurred on April 2, 2025, when the agency assumed statutory responsibility for registering training agreements, administering examinations, and issuing Certificates of Apprenticeship. This expansion consolidated STO’s role as the sole certification body for skilled trades apprenticeship in Ontario. Since that date, STO has administered more than 15,200 certifying exams. Between 2023 and 2026, the agency issued 23,297 Certificates of Qualification, awarded 30,546 Certificates of Apprenticeship, registered 60,750 first-time apprentices through Registered Training Agreements, and granted 20,832 Red Seal Endorsed Certificates of Qualification.

Modernizing Access through Innovation

STO has made significant strides in improving accessibility and convenience. In October 2025, the agency made on-site certification exam delivery permanent at all Training Delivery Agents authorized to offer final-level apprenticeship training, expanding access to over 100 locations across Ontario. This initiative removes barriers, reduces wait times, and helps skilled trades professionals get certified and into the workforce faster.

Complementing these physical expansions, STO launched a digital portal in 2022 that provides secure access to services such as applying for apprenticeships, viewing examination results, and renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades. Recent enhancements include online submission of Apprenticeship Completion Forms, requests for revocations and suspensions of training agreements, and online booking for certifying examinations. As CEO Candice White stated, “By digitizing high-demand services, we are removing barriers, simplifying processes and improving the overall client experience”.

National Recognition through the Red Seal Program

Many of Ontario’s trades participate in the Interprovincial Red Seal Program, which establishes national standards for trades across Canada. A Red Seal endorsement on a provincial certificate demonstrates that a tradesperson’s skills meet a nationally recognized standard, enabling them to work anywhere in Canada without additional training. STO manages Ontario’s participation in this program, further enhancing the portability and value of its certifications.

Looking Ahead: The 2026–2029 Strategic Plan

STO’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan outlines the agency’s aspiration to be Ontario’s champion of the skilled trades, accelerating pathways to rewarding careers that power economic growth. Built on five strategic pillars—Streamlined Registration and Certification, Excellence in Standards and Curriculum, Public Awareness and Promotion, Equity, Opportunity, and Access, and Engagement and Service Delivery—the plan reflects STO’s movement toward maturity. The agency is also committed to strengthening engagement with underrepresented groups, including Canadian Armed Forces members and their spouses, and individuals participating in social assistance programs.

Conclusion

Skilled Trades Ontario stands as a cornerstone of the province’s economic prosperity. By setting rigorous standards, modernizing service delivery, and championing the skilled trades as careers of choice, STO is ensuring that Ontario’s workforce remains competitive, capable, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. As the agency continues to expand access, embrace innovation, and build partnerships with government and industry, it is making Ontario the place where skilled trades professionals thrive.