$615 plus HST (615$ plus TVH)

Learn from industry representatives about exciting new innovations and their impact on the future of skilled trades and technology careers and the workplace. Following the plenary session, attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues.

Introduction to OCTE, events, resources and opportunities

This hands-on workshop will have participants experiencing an activity from the new OCTE Elementary Tool Safety Resources. Participants will learn how to train their students on the safe use of various common construction hand tools. No tool experience needed, but closed-toed shoes are required to participate in this workshop!

Presented by: Heather Isnor-Williams, Waterloo Region DSB

In this hands-on workshop, a trades night will be modeled for participants. These evenings are used to promote OYAP and SHSM programs to grade 10 students with the support of school staff and community partners. Participants will get the full experience, including creating an item to take home.

Presented By: Eric Bacon & Jody Jakubo, Rainbow DSB

Please join us on a tour of Armo Tool to learn more about the career opportunities in automated manufacturing. Please wear Closed Toed Shoes. Safety glasses will be provided as part of the tour.

Hosted by: Ben Whitney, Armo Tool

Learn more about the construction career opportunities and apprenticeships offered through LiUNA, tour the facilities and engage in an activity related to the work your students who pursue this pathway would perform.

Hosted By: Kyle Hodgins & Mike Ropp, LiUNA Local 1059

Learn more about the skilled trades and other careers that are part of hotel operations with a behind the scenes tour and talk with staff.

Hosted by: Claudia Neville & Lamplighter Inn Sales and Catering Team

Join us for an exclusive tour of General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada, where you'll experience first-hand how cutting-edge military vehicles are designed and manufactured. This tour offers a unique opportunity to learn about advanced defence technologies and see production processes in action.
Security papers must be completed and turned in immediately for this tour. Once received, please complete and email forms to [email protected].

Hosted By: Matt Labord & Matt Srnicek, General Dynamics

Tour Fanshawe’s 80,000 square foot hangar at London International Airport while learning about careers and pathways in aviation, followed by a tour of Diamond Aircraft’s manufacturing facility.

Hosted by: Larry Weir, Fanshawe College

Join Local 1946 and learn more about the apprenticeships offered through the Carpenter’s Union, training and benefits available, new programs and opportunities and tour the facilities.

Hosted By: Andrew Lowry, Carpenters' Local 1946

Andrew Fleet, Founder and Executive Director of Growing Chefs! Ontario, will take you on a tour of their Food Education Centre including their Learning Kitchen and Gardens (weather dependent) to learn about unconventional careers and pathways in the culinary world. Growing Chefs! Ontario has a vision to build and maintain a healthy, empowered community that is engaged with our food system.

Hosted by: Andrew Fleet, Growing Chefs

The NRC’s Manufacturing and Automotive Innovation Hub research facility in London Ontario aims to help the Canadian automotive industry in the emerging fields of autonomous driving and electrification and help Canadian manufacturers improve their competitiveness. The facility has capabilities unique in Canada in laser micromachining, laser texturing, pulsed laser deposition, chemical and physical vapour deposition, and additive manufacturing. The facility specializes in the use of data analytics, machine learning and robotics for manufacturing processes. In addition, our staff works on perception systems for connected and autonomous vehicles. Using different sensor systems such as LiDAR, RADAR, vision cameras and thermal cameras to help solve the challenges of using automated vehicles in different environments.

Hosted by: Stephen Sweeney

Join Support Ontario Youth (SOY) for an exploration into Apprenticeship and how to support students through their journey. The SOY team are subject matter experts in the skilled trades and apprenticeship sectors and provide information to help staff educators, students and parents better understand and navigate the apprenticeship pathway.

Presented By: Support Ontario Youth

What does the Apprenticeship Pathway look like in a Secondary School? How can administrators support their guidance, coop and tech teachers as they work with interested students? Promoting the apprenticeship pathway, this workshop will give participants an understanding of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

Presented by: Sharon Devries and Jessica Dowsett, Thames Valley DSB

Learn more about the Career-Ready with CTMA program, the investments that have been made in Manufacturing Technology equipment across the province, the apprenticeship / career placements available to students directly out of high school and the application process if OCTE/CTMA receive Round 5 funding.

Presented by: Dave Lewis, CTMA/OCTE

This workshop will look into ways of decreasing the stigma that surrounds the skilled trades and looks at ways to further promote it within your area. Participants will have time to discuss their own ways of promoting the trades with the other participants in a large group format and will leave with resources to help in their discussions with students and families.

Presented by: Nina Sharma-Hansra, Peel DSB

Join us as we roll out these newly created resources that provide a suite of information you can use in talking with students, families/caregivers, staff and Administrators in regards to the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship. The resources may be used throughout the year/semester to further inform students with respect to making connections to the Skilled Trades, their high school pathway, and post-secondary goals.

Presented by: Nicole Hagley, Halton DSB

In this workshop, participants will learn the various essential skills that are developed through education in Technological Education classes and the value that they have for students pursuing careers along all pathways, including skilled trades, technology careers and engineering.

Presented by: Jessica Gasparotto, London DCSB

Education has its own language, but how does this translate to our industry partners? In this session, a post-secondary and industry partner will give strategies of using language and other tips and tricks to engage industry in your school programming and build more opportunities for your students.

Presented by: Dr. Beth McNally, McMaster Centre for Automotive Materials and Corrosion

Explore the various exhibitors and participate in the learning that takes place in the Skills Ontario Skills Truck.

In this workshop, we will share the latest trends and data highlighting the sought after trades, together with the more popular trades in the province. These trades will then be further explained, so you can share with your school community.

Presented by: TBD

Learn how to support students (and their families) as they graduate and plan to start an Apprenticeship or continue along the Apprenticeship Pathway. Resources will be shared that you can use today!

Presented by: Joachim Vallentin, Hamilton-Wentworth DSB

Learn the ways in which co-op and guidance can work together with staff and community partners to promote apprenticeship opportunities.

Presented by: Bronagh O’Rourke HDSB & OYAP rep

This workshop will outline the Importance of allocating an appropriate budget to growing the skilled trades in your building, together with a vision to attract qualified technology educators and supporting the growth of co-op and experiential learning. In providing these resources to your community, it will support every student in making best informed decisions for their pathway journey.

Presented by: Lisa Galay, Nicole Hagley & Brent Coakwell, Halton DSB

This workshop will educate educators on what type of candidate a construction employer is looking to hire and potentially register as an apprentice. We will share information on potential incomes, growth opportunities within companies and why the trades are one of the better options for a fulfilling career right now. As educators, it is important to prepare your students for all opportunities in ALL three post-secondary pathways of education including apprenticeship. We will provide resources and training solutions for you and your students. Finally the workshop will include current information on barriers to inclusivity and diversity in the construction sector, and what needs to change.

Presented by: Glenda Rahn, Director of Workforce Development, Merit Ontario

In this session, participants will learn about different delivery models being used to implement the new TAS courses and the challenges faced to date. Feedback and best practices will be shared.

Presented by: Jody Jakubo, Rainbow DSB

This workshop will look into ways of decreasing the stigma that surrounds the skilled trades and looks at ways to further promote it within your area. Participants will have time to discuss their own ways of promoting the trades with the other participants in a large group format and will leave with resources to help in their discussions with students and families.

Presented By: Nina Sharma-Hansra, Peel DSB

Learn from current apprentices about their journey through the application and training process. Additionally students will share information that they wish they knew before pursuing the apprenticeship pathway.
This session will also showcase a few opportunities to support students through scholarships, bursaries and other experiences.

Facilitated by: Veronica Kleinsmith, Halton DSB

This workshop is designed to show how building and coding VEX EXP robots parallels the engineering skills needed in trades like electrical engineering, mechanics, and automation. Participants will get to build, code, test & troubleshoot in scenarios related to trades.

Presented By: Jessica Maruso, iDesign 365 & Jeff Hines, Halton DSB

Participate in various bell ringer stations related to Skills Ontario Competitions related to Skilled Trades and Technological Education.

Presented By: Rich Bishop, Durham DSB

Join myBlueprint expert and former educator Joy MacDonald for this interactive session to explore Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Pathways. Engage in meaningful discussions about supporting students who are interested in this pathway, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and resources for future success. Dive into a variety of helpful tools, such as the High School Planner and Occupation Database, leaving the session with fresh ideas and clearly actionable next steps!

Presented by: Joy MacDonald, myBlueprint

Explore problem solving using engineering design in this interactive session led by k2i academy. In this session, you will learn about the important role that engineering design plays in tackling technological challenges in the skilled trades.

Presented By: Lisa Cole, k2i Academy

Join us to learn and follow the engineering design process as it links to Curriculum expectations and connections.

Presented By: Jessica Gasparotto, London DCSB & Lee Ann Armstrong, Hamilton-Wentworth DSB

This workshop will showcase various ways to engage students, parents and the community in the skilled trades through OYAP. Exciting board-wide initiatives will be shared that will highlight specific strategies and opportunities to bring students, families and the community together to learn about the apprenticeship pathway. This workshop will also include a hands-on activity.

Presented by: Keith Edwards and Jodi Froud, Avon-Maitland DSB

Are you looking for hands-on learning opportunities for your school? OCTE’s Take Tech kits are specifically designed to introduce grade 7 & 8 students to the 10 Broad-based Technology Subjects areas. These challenges will serve to spark an interest in your students as they prepare to enter Secondary School and meet the requirements of the new Technology and Skills Trades Course.

Presented by: Eric Bacon, Rainbow DSB

Explore the learning that takes place in the Skills Ontario Tech Truck.

Discuss the challenges and barriers for youth to pursue apprenticeship with the Skilled Trades Ontario team. This open discussion with educators will allow Skilled Trades Ontario to take information back to government stakeholders on ways to provide a smoother transition for students into the skilled trades.

Facilitated: Skilled Trades Ontario

Join us for an interactive experience to step into the role of a tradesperson. Learn and chat with members of the Carpenters Union and build a functional and durable construction tote box. This activity will showcase the practical skills involved in the construction trade but also demonstrate how hands-on learning can inspire students to explore careers in skilled trades. Come away with a tote box and tools to spark your students' interest.

Facilitated by: Carpenters' Union

OCTE Executive and other experienced people related to OYAP, SHSM, Skilled Trades, Technological Education, will be available for you to ask questions. No registration required for this session. Please attend as per your needs. Additionally, share with the OCTE Team future support / training etc. that you would like to see from our organizations.

Hosted by: OCTE Executive

Teams will have space and time to work together to determine next steps. There will be a short intro session and the remainder of the session will be-self-guided.

Facilitated by: Jody Jakubo, Rainbow DSB & Nicole Hagley, Halton DSB

Designed for individuals looking to network and discuss ideas shared at the conference. Sign up for this session to work with others and identify new ways to use all that you have learned back at your workplace.

Facilitated by: Jody Jakubo, Rainbow DSB & Nicole Hagley, Halton DSB

Learn the basics for getting your school up and running with the safe use of drones. Learn the basics of drone flight preparation, takeoff, and landing, plus the different regulatory rules to observe in Canada, including Transport Canada Regulations: Canadian Drone regulations and laws, Do(s) and Don’t(s) for recreational operators, Registration of Drones. Participants will also learn about the types of modern drones, Tips on safety awareness, Drone Piloting Practical: Pre-flight preparation and the physical set-up.

Presented by: Derek Murphy, Studica

Discover the groundbreaking synergy between XR (virtual, mixed & augmented reality) and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). Explore how XR and GenAI will help education transition from the information age to the experiential age, making the seemingly impossible not only possible but extraordinary. Witness the future of immersive and experiential learning and how it's reshaping the educational landscape. Participants in this workshop will be given the opportunity to experience virtual reality (VR) first hand and discuss how schools can leverage VR for learning in libraries, classrooms and for large events.

Presented by: Rob Therieult, Georgian College