Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) is a new Crown agency which replaced the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT). It is responsible for skilled trades certification in Ontario, which includes: establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards and certification exams. Among Ontario’s many occupations and  career opportunity in every region STO includes four key sectors – Construction, Industrial and Motive Power and Service.

Skilled Trades Ontario operates at arms-length from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development responsible for skilled trades certification in Ontario, which includes:

• establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards and certification exams
• assessing experience and qualifications of individuals who have not completed an apprenticeship program in Ontario
• issuing Certificates of Qualification in all trades with certifying exams
• renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades
• maintaining a Public Register of people authorized to work in compulsory trades
• conducting research in relation to apprenticeship and the trades

Skilled Trades Ontario is also working toward:

• addressing the labour shortage in the skilled trades sector
• simplifying access to services by building a “one-window” online channel for all skilled trades and apprenticeship clients
• promoting the trades as a career of choice

The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has oversight of trades legislation and regulation, including prescribing/deprescribing trades, scopes of practice, trade classifications and ratios. The Ministry has also assumed responsibility for compliance and enforcement through its Occupational Health and Safety Inspectorate.

For more information on Skilled Trades Ontario, please visit their website at: https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca