Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge offering programs for a more diverse skilled trades workforce

Conestoga College is one of the top trade schools in Canada “providing programming in a wide range of post-secondary trades programs that provide pathways to employment in skilled trades careers as well as pre-apprenticeship training and in-school training for apprentices.”

Louie Butko was at the Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge, learning about the programs and events to attract a younger, more diverse population of learners. Their Jill of All Trades event started in 2014 to get more women into trades. The one day event offers three different workshops throughout the day that allows women to gain skills and hands on experience, while creating awareness that women can do this too.

On top of being one of the top trade schools, Conestoga is also one Canada’s top 20 research colleges. The Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance centre supports skilled trades in Canada by understanding how to prevent injury among skilled trades workers and how to modify PPE for everyone.

Phase 1 of this campus is complete, and when phase 2 is finished in 2026 it will be one of the largest skilled trades campuses in Canada.