Skills Ontario recognizes and celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day

Press Release

ONTARIO (June 21, 2019) – Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, a day for all Canadians to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures, and achievements of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

“In acknowledgement of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Skills Ontario recognizes the importance of celebrating the identities and achievements of Indigenous peoples,” says Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario. “We are pleased to continue to present opportunities through our First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives for Indigenous youth to explore the many rewarding pathways in the skilled trades and technologies. As 2019 marks Skills Ontario’s 30th year, we look forward to offering even more opportunities and learning experiences in the future.”

Throughout the year, Skills Ontario and its partners facilitate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) focused events at locations across Ontario to bring hands-on learning and mentorship together. In an effort to encourage Indigenous youth to consider the pathways in the skilled trades and technologies, Skills Ontario organizes Career Awareness Workshops, Mentoring Events, Summer Camps, and Trades & Tech Days.

This summer, Skills Ontario is thrilled to host FNMI camps in partnership with Marathon High School, Marathon (July 3 -5) and Kenjgewin Teg, M’Chigeeng First Nation (July 25 & 26). Furthermore, the FNMI Student Conference held at the Skills Ontario Competition every May is a community gathering that aims to give Indigenous students the opportunity to be inspired by mentors who have already chosen a career path in the skilled trades and technologies.

Skills Ontario’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives engage industry and college partners, small businesses, school boards, and students to connect education, experience, and employment. Skills Ontario offers FNMI programs to affiliated schools, Friendship Centres, and Band Offices. For more information on Skills Ontario FNMI Initiatives, visit skillsontario.com/fnmi.

Skills Ontario – Promoting skilled trades and technologies in Ontario since 1989

Over the last 30 years, Skills Ontario has been growing a portfolio of programs including in-school presentations reaching 125,000 students across Ontario, career exploration summer camps, Young Women’s and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Career Exploration Conferences, and annually hosting Canada’s largest skills competition which attracts 37,000+ spectators who cheerlead the 2,400+ competitors in 68+ trades and tech categories. To see how you can partner with Skills Ontario and help make a difference in the lives of Ontario’s youth, visit skillsontario.com/get-involved.

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Media Contacts:

Emina Jakupović
Manager of Communications
519 749 9899 x 221

Ian Howcroft
Chief Executive Officer
519 749 9899 x 229
ihowcroft@skillsontario.com

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