Skip to content

Conveniently located between Canada’s capital, Ottawa, and Canada’s business centre, Toronto.

Category: Media Release

Building a Connection Between Skilled Youth and Local Employers on World Youth Skills Day

By Christine Drage
A group of people standing in a line for a phone in front of an airplane in a hanger

The Build & Soar workforce development program connects students with local construction and aviation employers for summer employment

[PETERBOROUGH, ON]: Earlier today to celebrate World Youth Skills Day, David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and Dave Smith, MPP of Peterborough-Kawartha, announced a new workforce development program aimed at connecting students with local construction, aerospace, and aviation employers. World Youth Skills Day is celebrated internationally on July 15th to support the importance of equipping youth with employable skills.

Build & Soar, funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario through the Skills Development Fund, was developed by project lead Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) in partnership with the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB), the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB), the Workforce Development Board (WDB), and the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Home Builders Association (PKHBA). This workforce development program matches students enrolled in the Construction and Aerospace & Aviation Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs, run by the Ministry of Education, with local employers in these high-demand sectors.

“Through our annual Business Count Survey, we’ve heard concerns from local employers on workforce challenges,” says Rhonda Keenan, President & CEO of PKED. “A steady talent pipeline is widely desired across the high-demand industries within the region, and high school programs like the Specialist High Skills Majors are equipping students with employable skills and knowledge that support local workforce needs.”

Build & Soar was developed in response to feedback from the business community, and hearing from the local school boards on the need to build upon the SHSM programs to create opportunities and experiential learning through local employers. The hiring demand measured by online job posting activity has projected a persistent need in the local labour market for the construction and aviation sectors.

“By taking part in this program and providing students with invaluable mentorships and on-the-job work experience, local employers are playing a vital role in developing the future workforce and establishing a regional talent pipeline that will have a lasting effect and impact on the local economy,” Keenan adds.

As part of the program, students will receive a paid eight-week summer job placement with a local construction, aerospace or aviation company, and participating employers will receive a 50% wage subsidy after the program is completed.

QUOTES:

“Training plays a vital role in ensuring students and workers have the skills that companies need for new jobs of the future. That’s why we are proud to support the Build & Soar project, which is connecting students with employers in the evolving aerospace, aviation and construction industries. Not only are we addressing the gaps in Ontario’s labour market, but we are also building a brighter future for Ontario.”

  • David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

“The Build & Soar program is the result of neighbourly dialogue between the local school boards, local industry, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. We are grateful to the province for funding this project that is helping aviation and construction companies in the region provide an inspiring experience to our hard-working students.”

  • Alex Duketow, Student Success Consultant, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board

“We extend our sincere thanks to the provincial government and everyone who played a part in making this funding support a reality for our schools and our students. We know that a skilled trades gap exists and that with a continually aging workforce, our students are in a position to take advantage of these opportunities. To that end, we will continue to connect students to activities that expose them to all pathways; apprenticeships, college, community living, university, and the workplace.”

  • Jaine Klassen Jeninga, Chairperson, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

“The experiential learning opportunities provided to participants through the Build & Soar program will support the development and growth of a range of in-demand skills. Through the Skills Development Fund and our partnership with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, WDB will develop and produce interactive career ladders for aviation and infrastructure planning, providing participants in the program with a web-based resource to learn about career growth and career paths in these industries.”

  • Jennifer Lamantia, Chief Executive Officer, Workforce Development Board

Build & Soar Updates

As the summer work placements for Build & Soar wrap up, check out some highlights of students in action.

Flying Colours Corp.

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawarthas Region

Read more: Category: Media Release