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GUELPH, ONT. — Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) has announced a new element of its skilled trades branding program, issuing the first new certificate of qualification (CoQ) wallet cards to two journeypersons at a ceremony in Guelph on July 24.

STO will begin issuing over 17,500 certificates of qualification and more than 200,000 wallet cards to apprentices and certified skilled trades workers across the province. Over the coming months, skilled trades workers in compulsory and non-compulsory trades who received their certification after Jan. 1, 2022 will begin receiving their certificates of qualification in the mail.  

“This is an exciting milestone for thousands of skilled trades professionals,” said Melissa Young, CEO and Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, during an event at the Linamar plant in Guelph. “Not only do certificates of qualification and wallet cards serve to validate credentials, they are a testament to the hard work, resilience and unwavering dedication behind every certified skilled trades professional. I look forward to seeing them proudly displayed on worksites and in businesses across the province.”  

A CoQ is a document that proves a person is qualified to work in a particular skilled trade in Ontario. To obtain a certificate of qualification, individuals are required to have passed their certification exam and have met all requirements to practise their trade in Ontario.  

Apprenticeship registrations have increased by 24 per cent, it was announced recently.

Matthew Culbert, a general machinist with Linamar, was the first to be presented with a new CoQ certificate.

Certificates of qualification issued prior to Jan. 1, 2022, will continue to be valid and recognized by STO. STO was launched to replace the Ontario College of Trades.

“The Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) applauds Skilled Trades Ontario for their continued efforts to elevate all skilled trades to the level of respect that they truly deserve. Nothing in Ontario is created without the skills, drive and dedication of those in the trades and being part of the construction sector is a very rewarding career,” stated OGCA president Giovanni Cautillo in a release.