Foundations for Trades Success

July 20, 2022

Celebrating the construction training program graduates

BRANTFORD, ON – St. Leonard's Community Services, Employment Services is excited to announce the first two cohorts of the Foundation for Trades program are celebrating their successful graduation. A timely date with Youth Skills Day on July 15th, this exciting new program links youth between 18 and 29 years of age who are currently unemployed or underemployed with the skills needed to excel in the construction field. 

"We are proud of our Foundations for Trades program graduates," says Malcolm Whyte, Director of Employment Services. "Of the 30 prospective trade professionals who completed the program, 26 are already working in the construction field. Connecting community members with skills needed to succeed, and local businesses with qualified workers, is a rewarding achievement for our team."

Foundations for Trades is provided in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s more than $200 million Skills Development Fund and Conestoga College. The 9-week training program includes five weeks of hands-on training in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical, plus four-weeks of an on-the-job placement in the construction sector. Graduates obtain a college certificate in Construction Foundations from Conestoga College.

St. Leonard's Community Services offers various community support from Addiction & Mental Health and Employment to Housing and Justice. The Employment Services Centres located in Brantford, Caledonia, and Dunnville, connect employers and members of our community. The Foundation for Trades program is an excellent example of the employment and training opportunities.

“Jobs in construction and the skilled trades lead to rewarding careers with pensions and benefits,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why our government continues to invest in the next generation of skilled workers. We want to ensure all young people can get the training they need to earn bigger paycheques and find careers they love.”

St. Leonard's Community Services Employment Services and Foundations for Trades are Employment Ontario projects and are funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Foundations for Trades is funded through the Skills Development Fund, a more than $200 million initiative that supports innovative programs that connect job seekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying careers close to home.

There are two upcoming cohorts of Foundations for Trades. Interested community members are encouraged to register today!  Spots are limited and expected to fill up quickly for this excellent career-building opportunity. More details on Foundations for Trades can be found at https://www.st-leonards.com/employment/programs/job-seekers/foundations-trades. For information on St. Leonard's Community Services, Employment Services, visit www.st-leonards.com, or call (519) 756-7665.

-30-

For more information, please contact:
Malcolm Whyte, Director of Employment Services, St. Leonard’s Community Services
Phone: (519) 756-7665 ext. 2406 mwhyte@st-leonards.com

Recent Announcements

National Addictions Awareness Week
SOAR Community Services is a proud community member working to raise awareness about addiction and the resources available in our community.
Work with us! Apply by October 18.
We want to meet you! We're hiring: Housing Support Counsellors, Justice Support Counsellors, Withdrawal Management Workers, Residential Counsellors, Crisis Counsellors, Registered Practical Nurses. Submit your resume to recruit@soarcs.ca by October 18th! Successful applicants will be invited to our interview day on October 23rd.
RCMP Career Information Session
This session offers you the chance to hear first-hand from our recruiters about the exciting career opportunity that awaits you. You’ll also get into the details of the recruiting process including the requirements and expectations for applying and how to prepare for each stage. If you’re still not sure and want to know more, this is the presentation for you.
Haldimand Job Fair 2024
Come to the Haldimand Job Fair! Date: October 17  Time: 3 PM to 6 PM  Location: Caledonia Fairgrounds, 151 Caithness St E
Harm Reduction Vending Machine "Our…
The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU), in collaboration with SOAR Community Services (formerly St. Leonard's Community Services) and REACH Nexus, a research group housed at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, is proud to announce the launch of Our Healthbox, a harm reduction vending machine now located at 133 Elgin St. in Brantford.
St. Leonard's Community Services Rebrands to…
St. Leonard's Community Services, a trusted not-for-profit organization serving the communities of Brantford, Brant, and Haldimand for over 55 years, is excited to announce its rebranding to SOAR Community Services.