This week is National Skilled Trades and Technology Week, and we’re celebrating the real people building Ontario’s future through ApprenticeSearch.com’s Gateway to the Trades, funded by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund.

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When Samhar arrived in Canada from Lebanon in 2022, he brought an engineering degree — and uncertainty. He knew he had the skills, but he didn’t know how to transfer them into Canada’s apprenticeship system.

“I had no idea how to start in Canada, especially with no experience here in the trades,” he said.

Newcomers like Samhar represent one of Ontario’s greatest opportunities to address skilled labour shortages. Immigration now accounts for nearly all of Canada’s net labour force growth — and Ontario welcomes almost half of all newcomers to the country. Yet, many internationally trained workers face barriers having their credentials recognized or accessing Canadian work experience. 

Through ApprenticeSearch.com’s Gateway to the Trades program, funded by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, Samhar received guidance on navigating the apprenticeship process and preparing for his Certificate of Qualification exam.

“Gateway to the Trades introduced me to the process and showed me how to transfer my experience from Lebanon,” he shared.

Now working as an Automotive Service Technician with Mitsubishi, Samhar is contributing directly to Ontario’s vehicle and EV sectors — both of which face high demand for skilled labour.

“I wasn’t just looking for a job — I wanted a place where I could grow, learn, and be part of something bigger,” he said.

His story reflects a broader truth: when internationally trained workers are given the tools to succeed, Ontario’s entire economy grows stronger.

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Every story like this is part of a much bigger picture. Through ApprenticeSearch.com’s Gateway to the Trades, more than 1,480 people have been hired into skilled trades roles, and over 650 have started apprenticeships across Ontario.

The program helps remove real barriers — from the cost of safety gear and tools to the confidence gap that comes with starting something new. Participants get coaching, certifications, and support that help them not only get hired but stay employed.

With an 80% employment rate and over $1.3 million in industry contributions leveraged to date, Gateway continues to show that when we invest in people, good things happen — for job seekers, employers, and Ontario’s skilled trades community.

Related National Skilled Trades and Technology Week Stories:

Read Mustafa's Story: From Rejection to a Real Start

Read Sarah's Story: Finding Her Fit After Job Loss