Predicting the most in-demand trades for northern Ont.

Skills Ontario is predicting that skilled trades are going to be more in demand for 2026, and we will find out which ones are expected to increase the most.

Skills Ontario is giving its predictions for the most in-demand trades for 2026, with a big emphasis on mining-related trades in northern Ontario.

“You know, things like industrial electricians, millwrights, welders and fabricators, things that support that infrastructure, heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians,” said Paul Clipsham from Skills Ontario.

“Plumbers and pipefitters and then heavy equipment operators and iron workers.”

Clipsham said they compiled information from “many of the training delivery agencies, the colleges, our partners with Skills Ontario and, of course, our industry partners as well, giving us a pretty good sense of where the demand is.”

About 2,000 trades students

Cambrian College has roughly 2,000 trades students who are eager to get into the workforce and help solve the skilled trades shortage.

“There has been more interest in the trades recently,” said Kim Crane from Cambrian College.

“Our domestic enrollment is up compared to, say, even last year or the year before that. So yes, the interest is definitely showing in our enrollment numbers.”

Crane said that with more than 140 registered trades in Ontario, opportunities are widely available.

“There’s a skill shortage,” she said.

“And there are a lot of opportunities we are developing as a country … Every politician is talking about increasing construction. You need tradespeople for that.”

Tariffs have an impact

Skills Ontario said U.S. tariffs are still impacting many jobs in the trades. But when there is a lull in one trade, there is a booming need in others.

“The Ontario government has said recently that by 2026, one in six jobs is expected to be in the trades,” Clipsham said.

Trades are also attracting people of many ages, especially those who are making a career change.

“We find the average age of an apprentice in Ontario is 29 years old,” Clipsham said.

“So a lot of times people are going into something and, you know, realizing, hey, maybe this is not for me. So then they look to the trades and there’s lots of opportunity, lots of demand in the trades.”

“Younger apprentices are coming in for trade school, as well,” Craine said.

“But we’re seeing mature students, right? Some individuals who are saying, you know, I want to do something different.”