The Vision
The Trades Skills Development Incubator is a hands-on, industry-aligned learning hub designed to increase access, exposure, and workforce readiness within the skilled trades sector. This initiative bridges education and industry by providing immersive experiences using real equipment, virtual reality technology, and direct employer engagement, creating a direct pathway into apprenticeship and skilled trades careers.
Our Purpose
The Incubator was developed to expand career exploration opportunities in Red Seal trades, support apprentices and equity-deserving groups, provide hands-on training exposure in a safe and inclusive environment, strengthen collaboration between employers and educational institutions, and address the growing skilled trades labour gap.
Participant Benefits:
Participants gain access to:
• Industry-standard equipment and machinery
• Virtual reality career simulations
• Apprenticeship pathway education
• Mentorship opportunities
• Employer and post-secondary connections
• Workplace readiness skill development
Target Audience
• Youth exploring career options
• Apprentices seeking upskilling
• Women and gender-diverse individuals
• Equity-deserving groups
• Career changers
• Educators and community partners
Long-Term Outcomes
The Trades Skills Development Incubator aims to increase apprenticeship readiness, strengthen employer talent pipelines, improve skilled trades enrolment, advance diversity and inclusion in trades spaces, and establish a sustainable model for immersive workforce development across the region.