Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness program

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

The Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness (STAR) program encourages Canadians to explore and prepare for careers in the skilled trades. The program has a budget of $10 million per year.

The program also targets groups that face barriers entering the trades, for example:

• youth
• women
• indigenous people
• newcomers
• persons with disabilities
• visible minorities

The purpose is to:

• make people aware of the trades as good quality careers
• provide opportunities to explore the trades
• provide individuals with the skills and supports they need to pursue a career in the skilled trades

Activities funded under the STAR program could include:

• career exploration opportunities to support well-informed career decisions, for example:
  • career fairs
  • mentorship
  • job shadowing
• skills training to help individuals prepare for success, for example:
  • essential skills training
  • safety certification
• work experience to offer hands-on job experience, for example:
  • work placements to increase awareness of the trades
  • get hands-on experience