MEDIA RELEASE TRADE TRACKS
Centre Wellington, Ontario – The Trade Tracks showcase, held April 25–26 at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex, successfully connected students, job seekers, and the public with hands-on experiences and career pathways in the skilled trades. Organized with the enthusiastic support of more than 40 exhibitors, a vast majority local employers, the event attracted over 2,100 attendees on Friday alone, most of them students travelling from as far as Whitby, Barrie, and Etobicoke.
Saturday’s program, while quieter, allowed for more in-depth conversations between visitors and industry professionals. Public attendees came from across Wellington County and neighbouring regions, including Cambridge, Caledon, North Perth, and Waterloo.
Post-event survey responses highlighted the event’s strong impact:
- 66% of respondents rated the event Excellent, with another 33% rating it Good.
- 66% of attendees indicated they are Highly Likely or Likely to explore a career in the skilled trades after attending.
- Interactive demonstrations were cited as the most valuable experience by more than 55% of participants, followed by opportunities for direct employer and industry networking.
“While young people may not always know exactly what they want to pursue, Trade Tracks gives them the chance to explore real options and build important connections,” said CEO of Trade Tracks Carl Gray. “We are thrilled with the enthusiasm shown by both exhibitors and attendees. Trade Tracks is a small independent not-for-profit established in 2023 in Centre Wellington. We believe events like this are essential for ensuring a vibrant future workforce for our region.”
The strong feedback from attendees and exhibitors suggests a growing demand for initiatives that bridge education and employment in the trades sector. Organizers look forward to building on this momentum to make Trade Tracks even larger and more impactful in the future. Next year’s event is scheduled for May 22-23,2026 at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex.
