Bridging the gap between youth and the trades
The Trades in the 6ix skills fair attracts hundreds of TCHC youth interested in a career in the trades.
With youth unemployment rate on the rise, it is challenging for young people to find jobs. As of June 2024, the national unemployment rate for youth hovers just above 13 per cent, indicating just how hard it is for young people to access the job market.
Mokhadas, a tenant youth from the St. James Town neighbourhood, shared with us some of the realities youth face when landing jobs in the city.
“We live in a city where [many] youth are unemployed,” he said. “Especially those living in low-income neighbourhoods. They are facing financial difficulties and challenges in getting work experience.”
Recognizing these challenges, Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) brought together trade organizations, unions, and education institutions to participate in Trades in the 6ix, a skills fair event connecting youth directly to career opportunities. This summer, two events (Trades in the 6ix and the Youth Information Job Fair) were held at Metro Hall and hundreds of TCHC tenant youth attended.
Organizations educate TCHC tenants about opportunities available in the trades.
The idea for Trades in the 6ix started with feedback from youth who were interested in getting into the trades but didn't know how or where to start.
TCHC's Community Service Coordinator, Stacy Golding, spearheaded this initiative. “Young people came to us wanting to know more about the trades,” she said. “We connected with local partners and discovered there was a strong interest in bringing people together to discuss various opportunities in the trades and the requirements to get there successfully.”
Philip Auguste, TCHC Program Coordinator, explained that Trades in the 6ix is an initiative that contributes to TCHC’s goal of providing free, accessible opportunities for tenants based on their interests and needs. “One of the things that TCHC is trying to do is build a solid socio-economic and academic infrastructure in all communities that will help youth find meaningful and sustainable employment,” he said. "Securing these opportunities will benefit not only the youth's lives but also their communities and the city.”
TCHC staff at this summer’s Trades in the 6ix event alongside Rokhaya ‘Rok’ Gueye, a representative from the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario.
This year’s event was organized in partnership with the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario (CDC). Rokhaya ‘Rok’ Gueye, the Ontario Chair of Sisters in Brotherhood, shared that the CDC was excited to partner with TCHC for this year’s event. “We connected and brainstormed how we can create an event that will benefit those who live in TCHC by learning more about the trades and unions,” said Rok.
The skills fair also had another purpose: to remove barriers preventing youth from entering the trades. Many organizations that participated in the event shared a common goal of making the trades more accessible to youth and other underrepresented groups.
Rok smiles in front of her organization’s table.
“Representation does matter. Most of the time, [youth] do not see people who look like them,” said Rok. “The beautiful thing that we are trying to show is the representation. If they can see that someone who looks like them can do it, they can do it too.”
Quoc Troung, a business representative from Central Ontario Building Trades, also recognizes some of the systemic barriers affecting racialized and other equity-deserving groups from entering the trades.
“There is a huge demographic of Indigenous, Black, racialized, and women who are not getting access to good, meaningful jobs,” said Quoc. His organization is participating in the skills fair to connect with more youth and, in turn, increase the representation of these groups in the trades.
Foshia, a tenant youth from Scarborough, said the event provided her with the information she needed to get into the trades. “We need more resources,” she said. “Not only youth but young adults are seeking employment. Organizations can help guide us in how to get a job in their field and move forward.”
TCHC will continue to host job fairs throughout the year to connect youth and tenants to new employment and educational opportunities.
To learn more about upcoming job opportunities or if you are interested in partnering with TCHC in a future employment event, email economic.opportunities@torontohousing.ca.
