The skilled trades workforce is an integral part of Niagara’s labour market. The goods-producing sector (construction, manufacturing, utilities, agriculture, forestry), which encompasses the largest share of jobs in the skilled trades, makes up 18%[i] of total employment in the Niagara region.
It is expected that 700,000 skilled trades workers are to retire in Canada by 2028[ii]. With the abundance of new talent year over year in Niagara, there is opportunity for small businesses to hire skilled tradespersons as retirements continue to increase in the sector.
Scope
Following the drop in new apprenticeship registrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Niagara region has seen an overall increase in new registrants and active apprentices.
Figure 1. Number of new registrants and active apprentices, 2019-2024, Niagara
Source: EOIS-CAMS data
Over the past three years the age cohort of 15-24 year olds (youths) of apprentices have increased to 56.9%, a year-over-year change of 1.9%. The Government of Ontario has made efforts to promote the skilled trades sector among the younger generation. Last year, the Ontario government announced its plan to expand the successful Level Up! skilled trades career fairs to Barrie, Cobourg, Cornwall, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, North Bay, and South Porcupine (near Timmins) this fall, introducing over 35,000 students to in-demand careers in the trades.
In addition to promotion of the sector, the Government introduced new policy and legislative measures to attract more young people to the skilled trades, including adding a new apprenticeship pathway. The Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training (FAST) stream of OYAP (announced last year) allows students in Grades 11 and 12 to participate in more apprenticeship learning through additional co-operative education credits while completing high school. More information on FAST.
Figure 2. Age Cohort of Apprentices, 2019-2024, Niagara
Source: EOIS-CAMS data
Over one third of businesses operating in the goods-producing sector were micro or small businesses (fewer than 99 employees). When adding businesses without employees (i.e., sole proprietors/self-employed), this figure jumps up to almost 99%.
Figures 3. Size of businesses supporting skilled trades workers 99), June 2024, Niagara
| Sector | 1-4 (Micro) | 5-99 (Small) | 100-499 (Medium) | 500+ (Large) | No Employees | Total Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 215 | 246 | 16 | 0 | 1,176 | 1,653 |
| Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 23 |
| Construction | 1,130 | 741 | 10 | 1 | 3,040 | 4,922 |
| Manufacturing | 202 | 418 | 43 | 1 | 532 | 1,196 |
| Total Goods-producing sector | 1,560 | 1,420 | 72 | 2 | 4,829 | 7,883 |
| % | 19.8% | 18.0% | 0.9% | 0.03% | 61.3% | 100% |
| Total Across Industries | 7,520 | 6,480 | 275 | 27 | 34,961 | 49,263 |
Source: Lightcast Analyst, 2025.2.
Figures 4. % of micro and small businesses supporting skilled trades, June 2024, Niagara
| Goods-producing sector | Small businesses (1-99) | % | % adding in businesses with no employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 461 | 28% | 99% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 13 | 57% | 100% |
| Utilities | 15 | 17% | 97% |
| Construction | 1,871 | 38% | 100% |
| Manufacturing | 620 | 52% | 96% |
Source: Lightcast Analyst, 2025.2.
What Can Small Businesses Do?
Being competitive can be difficult for small businesses that don’t have the financial or structural resources to recruit and retain skilled tradespersons. With this said, there are several ways small businesses can become more competitive by implementing small but meaningful changes.
A recent study by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF)[iii] found the top five success factors for apprentices were all closely tied to mentorship and support. These factors highlighted the importance of having opportunities to learn in a constructive and supportive environment. Apprentices valued having an open stream of communication (i.e., guidance with clear instructions, emotional support, regular feedback, discussions on expectations). With open communication, apprentices could voice concerns, receive feedback, and understand expectations in a healthy and productive manner.
Similarly, CAF surveyed how employers were supporting apprentices across Canada. Some of the core supports that came up were, firstly, good mentorship[iv]. Apprentices who had positive experiences said it was the result of employers who provided 1) respectful and structured mentoring and 2) opportunities to shadow mentors to adapt to different work situations. Other supports included access to benefits and employee assistance programs, travel and room & board allowance, and support from colleagues and employers.
Changes don’t have to be drastic but showing genuine interest and providing support to new hires is imperative. For potential hires, providing an opportunity for shadowing and mentorship will not only help the apprentice but also the employer.
Resources
- Supports for skilled trades and apprenticeship – Canada.ca
- Achievement Incentive Program – MLITSD (for employers of apprentices)
- ApprenticeSearch.com | Connecting Employers and Apprentices Across Canada
- Apprenticeship Supports – Skills Council of Canada
- Apprentice Resources – Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
- Resources – Toolkits – Career Launcher | Apprenticeship Connect
- Apprentice Resources | Support Ontario Youth
- LLSC LBS Apprenticeship Toolkit – Literacy Link South Central
Over the next few years retirements in the skilled trades will drive the need for new workers. According to BuildForce Canada, the construction industry will need to recruit 351,800 new workers by 2033. This need is driven predominantly by the expected retirement of 263,400 workers (21% of the 2023 labour force)[v].
Sector profiles: Construction, Manufacturing
[i] Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0467-02. Employment by industry and census metropolitan area, three-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality
[ii] Skilled Trades Ontario. (2025). Skilled-Trades-Ontario-Strategic-Plan-2023-2026-Public-Report-vSep-20-2023-FINAL.pdf
[iii] Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. (2025) Apprentice Perspectives about Workplace Learning: Top 5 Success Factors.
[iv] Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. (2025) How Employers are Supporting Apprentices Across Canada.
[v] Government of Canada (2025). Government of Canada launches the next phase of the National Skilled Trades advertising campaign to promote careers in the skilled trades – Canada.ca