Skilled Trades, We've Got Your Back

Happy New Year and Welcome Back to the latest edition of our Step Up and Succeed In the Skilled Trades newsletter!

 

In this edition, we

  • feature our Provincial Apprenticeship Navigator coaching service
  • recount the great time we had at Literacy Link Niagara's Getting Connected event
  • share information about the Step Up and Succeed and ARISE projects at Literacy Link South Central 
  • give details about the Connexus 2026 event, where both of these projects and more will be featured 
  • highlight the "6 Steps to Sponsoring an Apprentice" guide

 

We are excited to share these stories with you and hope you enjoy reading them.

If you know of a skilled trades business, apprentice, or LBS success story that you think deserves to be featured in an upcoming issue, contact us at literacylink@llsc.on.ca.

Employers - We're here to support you! 


Do you want to grow your business this year, but need help attracting, training, or retaining apprentices to do so?

A Provincial Apprenticeship Navigator can help you find your way through the processes and resources that are available to help your business succeed!


Provincial Apprenticeship Navigators are individual coaches who work with you one-on-one. They are ready to help you find your way through the apprenticeship journey.


Step Up and Succeed!

Book an appointment with a 

Provincial Apprenticeship Navigator today!

Contact sally@llsc.on.ca

TOOLS, INFORMATION, RESOURCES, ONE-ON-ONE ADVICE

What We've Been Up To:

Literacy Link Niagara's Getting Connected Event 




On December 5, 2025, Literacy Link South Central was thrilled to be the keynote speaker at Literacy Link Niagara's Getting Connected Lunch and Learn Event.

 

The 2025 ‘Getting Connected’ event focused on Apprenticeship.


We are always thrilled to speak at events and share information about the great projects, supports and resources available to Apprentices and Employers in the Skilled Trades.

ODEN's Rethinking Disability Conference 2025

ODEN's Rethinking Disability Conference2025

Successful ARISE and Step Up and Succeed:

Two LLSC initiatives presenting at Cannexus26

Literacy Link South Central is thrilled to be showcasing two major Apprenticeship projects at Cannexus 26: 


ARISE (Apprenticeship Readiness Inventory and Skills Evaluation): Providing support to current and aspiring apprentices to help them complete their apprenticeship journey.


And Step Up and Succeed: Supporting the trades with resources and one-on-one coaching for small-to-medium-sized employers and trainers. 


Both projects offer free tools, assessments, and coaching in the Apprenticeship/Skilled Trades sector, and, between them, support all aspects of the apprenticeship journey - from an apprentice’s readiness to helping employers hire and retain them.


Two initiatives, one connecting theme: Apprenticeship

ARISE is a project focused on supporting individual apprentices. At its core, the ARISE project is about where apprenticeship and adult upskilling meet.


The ultimate goal for ARISE is to refer their clients to adult upgrading programs in their communities, but what makes it stand out is that, along with the referral, comes additional insight around potential gaps or learning challenges, assistive/adaptive technology recommendations, and suggestions for curriculum and learning activities to save adult upgrading practitioners’ time - Culminating in the success of the client in completing next steps in their apprenticeship journey.


“I am very pleased to share that I successfully passed the exam with a score of 84%. Your encouragement and assistance played a significant role in this achievement.”

Newcomer youth with a disability (Apprentice prepping for C of Q, Autobody repair)


ARISE will present in-person at Cannexus26 on January 26th at 1:40 pm

Step Up and Succeed primarily focuses on supporting employers and TDAs in growing apprenticeship success.


In year two of this ambitious project, the primary focus remains on supporting small and medium-sized employers, as well as TDAs, and the apprentices they train.


This year, Step Up and Succeed has:


  • updated the hub, improving accessibility and functionality, and created a new website - launching soon!
  • continued to meet with employers and apprenticeship interest-holders across the province
  • offered a new one-on-one coaching and group support by a Provincial Apprenticeship Navigator
  • developed additional resources based on employer feedback


At Cannexus 26 you can discover the new tools, resources, processes, learning opportunities and system innovations developed through the “Step Up and Succeed” initiative. Through partnerships with provincial apprenticeship-serving organizations and Workforce Planning Boards across Ontario, a cohesive system of resources has been built to support career development professionals and their clients, skilled trades employers, Training Delivery Agents and apprentices across Ontario.


Step Up and Succeed is hosting a virtual presentation at Cannexus 26 on January 27th at 9:30 am.


These Employment Ontario services are funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.


Upcoming Event: Register Now!

Canada's CANNEXUS26 is Coming Soon!

Cannexus is Canada's largest bilingual conference focused on career and workforce development!


This year, Cannexus26 will be held January 26-28, 2026, virtually and in-person at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa, Canada.


Career development for public good


Cannexus brings together those across the career and workforce development ecosystem to explore research, policy and practice. The conference will examine the impact of career development on education, the economy and social justice. You will share innovative approaches and exchange information with your peers.

Recommended Resource:

6 Step to Sponsoring an Apprentice

Workplace accommodations are simple changes to job tasks, tools, or schedules that help workers do their best. This Workplace Accommodations Resource, developed by Learning Networks of Ontario, is a free one-stop shop with examples, conversation tips, and links to local supports to help trades employers attract, support, and retain staff. 

View the full resource here.

Recommended Resource:

Challenging Current Practices Checklist

Are you experiencing challenges in recruiting apprentices? Have applications for your job postings been limited? Expanding your candidate pool and building a workforce that reflects your broader community can strengthen both your business and your reputation.

 

Check out this month’s featured resource,  “Challenging Current Practices Checklist”.

This checklist shares strategies you can implement immediately to grow your workforce. Learn about:


  • pipelines to find talent who are ready to work
  • organizations that can help simplify the hiring process
  • assessing and refining your recruitment and hiring practices to ensure they are barrier-free
  • understanding the needs of a more diverse workforce
  • how offering easy accommodations and support can make you an employer of choice in your community

 

After you check out the Challenging Current Practices Checklist we encourage you to continue exploring the rest of the “How to Find Talented Capable Apprentices” section of the resource hub.


Here you’ll find more detailed information on inclusive recruitment, accessible job posts, and attracting diverse talent.

Tell us your story! We would love to hear from you. What resource did you use / find most helpful?

Email us at literacylink@llsc.on.ca

Your quote may be featured in a future issue of the Step Up and Succeed Newsletter!

More Resources to Help You Get Ahead

Want to dig even deeper into the tools and strategies the resource hub has to offer?  Want to explore more? Unlock free tools and supports for your business by visiting the Step Up and Succeed Resource Hub today!

Visit the full Resource Hub!

Thank you so much for joining us! We look forward to seeing you again with the next issue of Step Up and Succeed in the Trades coming in February 2026!

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