Video – Photo Gallery – Hundreds of Students Attend Level Up! Career Fair in Grafton
The Haldimand Arena was filled with students on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 learning around rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
The first Level Up! Career Fair of the year was held at Haldimand Arena.
In total there will be 12 Level Up! Career Fairs across Ontario that will help over 50,000 students and jobseekers learn about good-paying and in-demand jobs.
At some of the open house sessions there will be over 200 interactive exhibitors who will inspire the next generation of workers to build the homes, highways, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure that the province needs.
David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Paul Calandra, Minister of Education and Candice White CEO, Skilled Trades Ontario toured the event in Grafton.
“Ontario’s greatest strength is our skilled, world-class workforce,” said Piccini. “That’s why our government is investing in training and career opportunities like the Level Up! career fairs that are helping thousands of young people discover good-paying careers in the trades.”
From electricians and boilermakers to heavy equipment operators and automotive service technicians students in grades 7 to 12, their parents and jobseekers were able to explore careers through dynamic exhibits, hands-on demonstrations and direct conversations with tradespeople and employers.
“Level Up! career fairs give students an exciting chance to step into the skilled trades, try them first-hand and connect directly with employers,” said Calandra.
“These events help students see a clear pathway from the classroom to rewarding careers in the skilled trades that will set them up for success tomorrow. By investing in students today, we are helping them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed and contribute to Ontario’s future.”
With roughly one in three tradespeople nearing retirement and a growing demand for nation-building projects, these career fairs help raise awareness and spark interest in good-paying, in-demand careers. The government’s record investments in skilled trades training are helping more youth access the trades with 16,412 youth aged 15 to 24 registered for apprenticeships this year, the highest in the last 10 years.
These fairs build on broader efforts to strengthen Ontario’s workforce, including targeted investments in training and employment pathways. Since 2021, the Ontario government has invested $1.5 billion through the Skills Development Fund to help train more than one million workers for in-demand jobs.
As announced in the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the government is investing nearly $1 billion more through the Skills Development Fund over the next three years, bringing the total to $2.5 billion, to support key industrial sectors and expand access to good-paying careers.
One in five new job openings in Ontario will be in the skilled trades-related occupations by 2028.
“Building a strong and resilient workforce starts with giving young people real exposure to the skilled trades, said Candice White, CEO Skilled Trades Ontario.
“The Level Up! career fairs make that possible by connecting students and job seekers directly with tradespeople and employers. We’re proud to work alongside the Ontario government to deliver these fairs, which are opening doors for thousands of young people to discover rewarding careers in the skilled trades — and building the workforce Ontario needs for the future.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love