Skilled Trades Ontario holds its third annual Ontario Apprenticeship Summit 2026 on Wednesday, November 4, at the Toronto Congress Centre, timed to National Skilled Trades and Technology Week. The one-day gathering brings together industry partners, trades professionals and apprentices under the theme Advancing Trades. Accelerating Tomorrow.

Why you should go

  • It is built for people at every stage. Organizers say the summit suits industry partners, working tradespeople and apprentices alike, so first-timers and veterans share the same room.
  • The awards list has grown. A new prize will recognize apprentices in each of the province's four regions, and a new safety honour will go to someone in the trades.
  • The focus is practical. Sessions are expected to cover workforce development, apprenticeship growth and the sector's long-term capacity, according to Skilled Trades Ontario.
  • It is a networking stop. Sponsors will be able to meet government partners, industry experts and trades professionals from across Ontario.

What is new this year

The awards presentation has been expanded. Alongside the Minister's Outstanding Journeyperson Award, STO will hand out three more honours: its own Award of Excellence, the regional apprentice prize and the safety award.

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"Advancing trades and accelerating tomorrow means investing in the people," said Candice White, CEO of Skilled Trades Ontario, in the announcement.

Organizers say the summit keeps growing as demand rises for coordinated industry engagement and clearer routes into apprenticeship programs.

How does this fit Ontario's wider trades push?

The summit is one part of a broader effort. Skilled Trades Ontario also runs the Level Up! skilled trades career fairs, now in their fifth year, which offer free open houses across 12 Ontario cities this fall. Recent stops in Sudbury drew 3,337 attendees, including 3,171 students from 69 schools, and a Hamilton-area open house is set for November 3, the day before the summit. STO issues certificates of qualification that show a worker is qualified in a particular trade.

What to know before you go

The event runs one day, November 4, at the Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto. STO says the full agenda and further details will be shared soon, and it plans an open call for sponsors in the coming weeks. Ticket prices and registration were not included in the announcement; check with the organizer, and subscribe to the agency's newsletter for updates.

FAQ

When and where is the Ontario Apprenticeship Summit 2026?

It takes place Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto, during National Skilled Trades and Technology Week.

How much are tickets to the summit?

The announcement did not list prices or registration details. Contact Skilled Trades Ontario or watch its newsletter for updates.