Vocational education is designed to equip students with the specific skills and knowledge required for immediate employment. In other words, it’s about meeting workforce needs. And it’s becoming increasingly relevant for anyone seeking long-term career stability and growth.
The skilled trades rely on vocational training, and the industry is currently dealing with a labour shortage. With growing demand and many tradespeople set to retire, Canada needs many more people to undergo training in order to fill critical roles in sectors like construction and manufacturing.
Keep reading to learn about the rising importance of vocational training, what’s driving the demand, and why you should take a good hard look at this educational path.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why Vocational Education is More Important Than Ever
- Factors Driving Demand for Skilled Trades
- Benefits of Choosing a Vocational Education
- The Top In-Demand Skilled Trades for 2025
- How Vocational Education is Evolving to Meet Future Needs
- Choosing the Right Vocational Program
WHY VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
Vocational training focuses on hands-on, practical skills that are directly applicable in the workplace. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upskill or switch careers, vocational training offers a fast track to employment in high-demand fields.
A persistent myth about vocational education is that it’s only for dropouts and screwups who couldn’t hack it in traditional college. Fortunately, that perception is changing. There is a growing recognition that vocational training can lead to careers that are just as challenging, lucrative, and fulfilling as those requiring a university degree.
A recent survey found that 73 per cent of Canadians believe practical experience is becoming more important than formal education. And 83 per cent believe post-secondary institutions need to teach more career-focused skills.
This is where vocational education shines.
Vocational education provides hands-on training for specific careers
FACTORS DRIVING DEMAND FOR SKILLED TRADES
Canada is grappling with a significant shortage of workers in areas like construction and manufacturing. The need to replace retiring workers is putting pressure on the education system and employers to attract new talent to the trades.
- A BuildForce Canada report notes that more than 20 per cent of the current construction workforce is expected to retire over the next nine years. The report estimates that the Canadian construction industry will face a shortfall of 85,500 workers by 2033.
- Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) says more a quarter of the manufacturing workforce is over 55, with roughly 40,000 retirements expected each year through 2031. The organization claims that even now, tens of thousands of positions within the sector are sitting vacant.
Vocational training is a direct pathway to filling these roles.
The construction industry is in serious need of more workers
But impending retirements are not the only reason Canada needs more skilled tradespeople. Other factors contributing to the growth of the skilled trades industry include:
More infrastructure development: Large-scale public infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and transit systems, are driving demand for skilled construction workers like carpenters, electricians, and plumbers. Ontario alone plans to spend more than $190 billion on infrastructure projects over the next decade.
Energy-efficient retrofitting: The focus on reducing energy consumption in existing buildings has created a need for glaziers, HVAC technicians, and plumbers with knowledge of energy-efficient construction techniques. This highlights the importance of skill development even in established trades.
Shift to electric vehicles: As Canada continues its push for electric vehicles, there’s a rising need for skilled machinists and technicians in automotive assembly plants. The expansion of electric vehicle production and associated charging infrastructure is also creating high demand for electricians trained in EV technologies.
BENEFITS OF CHOOSING A VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
There are several reasons to consider vocational training rather than a traditional academic program. Here’s a breakdown of the key trade school benefits:
Direct application: The curriculum in vocational programs is tailored to specific occupations, meaning you focus on learning the tools, techniques, and best practices required for your future career path without the broad academic courses typical of traditional programs. You specialize in a specific trade right from the start and become highly proficient in the technical aspects of it.
Quick workforce entry: Vocational programs are typically short. While a bachelor’s degree can take four years or more, many trade school programs take one year or even less. This shorter timeframe is great if you want to minimize time spent in school and begin earning an income sooner.
Labour market alignment: Trade school programs are often designed in collaboration with industry partners to meet the current demands of the job market. As a result, graduates from these programs often find employment quickly.
Strong and stable demand: Unlike many white-collar jobs that are increasingly vulnerable to automation and digital transformation, skilled trades typically require hands-on work. That brings job security. Plus, many trades are considered essential services, so they are less vulnerable to fluctuations in the Canadian economy compared to other jobs.
THE TOP IN-DEMAND SKILLED TRADES FOR 2025
To help you understand which fields are in demand, we combed through data from the Canadian Occupational Projection System to find the skilled trades with the highest number of projected job openings in 2025. For the purposes of this list, we focused only on Red Seal trades.
These occupations are expected to be hot next year:
Cooks (7,300 openings): Prepare food according to recipes, ensuring quality and consistency in dishes served. Some cooks also plan menus and order supplies.
Automotive service technicians (5,200 openings): Inspect, maintain, and repair vehicles, diagnosing mechanical issues and replacing or fixing parts.
Hairstylists (4,500 openings): Cut, colour, and style hair according to clients’ preferences. Hairstylists also provide advice on hair care and maintain salon hygiene.
Construction electricians (4,200 openings): Install, troubleshoot, and maintain electrical systems in buildings. Some electricians also work with advanced systems like renewable energy and smart home technologies.
Carpenters (4,200 openings): Construct, install, and repair structures made of wood and other materials. They work on everything from frameworks and walls to cabinets and furniture.
Industrial mechanics/millwrights (3,900 openings): Install, maintain, and repair industrial machinery, such as pumps, generators, conveyors, and pneumatic and hydraulic controls.
Heavy equipment operators (3,600 openings): Control and operate machinery like bulldozers, excavators, and loaders, performing tasks such as digging, lifting, and grading on construction sites.
Vocational training programs can prepare you to capitalize on those opportunities.
Heavy equipment operators are expected to be in demand in 2025
HOW VOCATIONAL TRAINING IS EVOLVING TO MEET FUTURE NEEDS
One of the most notable changes is the learning format. While trades training has traditionally been done in person, many programs have adopted hybrid formats that combine in-person workshops with online coursework. This approach provides more flexibility, allowing you to learn theoretical concepts at your own pace and then apply them in hands-on sessions.
The course content itself is also changing. For instance, many programs are updating their curricula to include green technologies and practices, with courses covering renewable energy systems and energy-efficient building practices. There’s also a greater emphasis on smart technology, automation, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
These changes reflect the realities of the job market and what employers are looking for in new hires. As noted earlier, vocational schools often have strong ties with industry partners, which allow them to adapt and tailor their programs to meet employer needs. Industry partnerships can also result in cutting-edge equipment in school workshops and employment opportunities for graduates—all of which are critical to solving the skilled labour shortage.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT VOCATIONAL PROGRAM
Trying to decide which program best fits your needs? Here are some things to think about:
- Vocational programs vary in length, with some lasting a few months and others taking up to two years. Consider how much time you are willing to commit to training and how quickly you want to enter the workforce.
- Check whether the program uses up-to-date tools, equipment, and technology that reflect current industry practices. This will help you become familiar with the tools and techniques you’ll use on the job.
- If you need to balance school with work or other responsibilities, look for programs that offer flexible learning options, such as part-time schedules, evening classes, or online coursework combined with in-person training.
- Many trades, such as electrical and HVAC, require apprenticeships as part of the licensing process. Check if the trade school program offers apprenticeship placement services or has partnerships with local employers to help you connect with potential sponsors.
PREPARE FOR A FUTURE IN THE SKILLED TRADES
The future of skilled trades is increasingly bright, and the skilled trades programs at Herzing College are designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to be an asset on a job site. Whether you’re interested in the electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, or gas fitting trades, we can help you meet your goals and set you on the right career path. Most programs take less than a year to complete and include valuable safety certifications.
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