From justice involvement to a career in the trades.
YAAACE has partnered with the Northpine Foundation and Skilled Trades College of Canada (STC) to connect young people and adults from our community to careers in the skilled trades. Through Northpine, eligible participants may receive up to 100% tuition coverage at STC.
The Northpine initiative is for people who are impacted by or involved in the justice system — especially those from communities that have been victimized, criminalized or institutionalized.
YAAACE finds and refers candidates, prepares them for the program, and supports them as they train. The goal is to remove the cost barrier and give participants a pathway that leads to a real job.
The Need
Why this pathway is urgent
Estimated lost GDP for Ontario from its skilled trades shortage.
Ontario
New trades entrants Ontario will need by 2030.
Conference Board of Canada
Projected construction worker shortfall over the next decade.
Construction sector
Possible national shortage of construction trades workers by 2034.
BuildForce Canada
Current construction workers expected to retire within ten years.
BuildForce Canada
What It Offers
Four pre-apprenticeship programs.
STC is a registered private career college in Ontario. Its 12-week courses feature small classes and about 80% hands-on training, led by construction industry veterans who run an active contracting division on sites across the GTA.
Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship
Installing wiring, panels and electrical boxes, reading electrical blueprints, and applying the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. Covers residential and light commercial systems and starts students toward their Certificate of Qualification.
Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship
Installing and maintaining potable water, sewage and drainage systems, plus plumbing codes, safety regulations, inspection standards and rough-in for new construction.
HVAC Pre-Apprenticeship
Installing and maintaining heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and using HVAC tools and equipment. Demand for energy-efficient systems makes this one of the fastest-growing trade sectors in Canada.
Intro to Home Renovation & Construction
Over 12 weeks, students build a 1,000 sq. ft. house to completion — learning framing, drywall, taping, footings, vapour barrier, insulation, and rough-in electrical and plumbing.
Certifications Earned
- Working at Heights
- First Aid & CPR
- Lockout / Tagout
Seven GTA Campuses
Beyond the Tools
Professional development.
Alongside technical training, YAAACE participants build the workplace skills that keep a career moving forward.
Workplace readiness
Communication & teamwork
Time management
Conflict resolution
Resume building
Financial literacy
Our Goal
The change we are working towards.
We want every participant to finish job-ready — with credentials, confidence, strong references, and a clear next step into an apprenticeship, a job or further education.
Turn past justice system involvement into a path toward stable, well-paid trades careers.
Build a trades workforce that reflects communities like Jane-Finch, which have long been left out of this sector.
Help close Ontario's trades gap by developing talent from neighbourhoods that are too often overlooked.