Ontario’s Skilled Trades agency is undergoing a leadership change, with the province appointing Candice White as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective November 25. White, who brings more than a decade of public sector management experience, will succeed Melissa Young, the agency’s first CEO since its establishment in 2022.
White’s background includes executive roles as Chief Administrative Officer in multiple municipalities, most recently in Port Hope, and board positions with agencies like the Ontario Clean Water Agency. David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, highlighted White’s extensive experience in public sector governance. “I look forward to Candice leveraging her executive experience within public sector organizations to build upon STO’s successes as we continue to grow our skilled trades workforce,” Piccini said.
Since its inception, Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) has been tasked with modernizing and simplifying access to trades certification and training for more than 1.3 million skilled tradespeople and apprentices across the province. The agency also aims to streamline entry points for individuals entering the trades, an area Young focused on during her tenure.
Melissa Young, appointed as CEO during STO’s formation in 2022, implemented several strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the skilled trades landscape in Ontario. Her achievements include launching industry advisory committees, rolling out Certificates of Qualification, and introducing wallet cards for skilled trades professionals. Additionally, Young led research projects examining public perceptions of the trades and established an Exam Support Unit to aid apprentices transitioning to certified tradespeople.
Reflecting on her time with STO, Young noted the overhaul required to make skilled trades more accessible to prospective workers. “When I took on the helm of STO, my objective was clear, but far from simple: make it easy and exciting to join the skilled trades,” she said. This vision included the development of a “one-window” service experience aimed at minimizing administrative obstacles.
STO Board Chair Michael Sherrard expressed gratitude to Young for her contributions and welcomed White to the agency. “We will all miss her and wish her all the best as she embarks on an exciting new journey,” Sherrard said.
White emphasized her commitment to continuing STO’s mandate of growing Ontario’s skilled trades workforce and enhancing service delivery for tradespeople. “I look forward to working with STO’s Board, its talented workforce, and tradespeople across Ontario as we continue to modernize service delivery and advance world-class certification standards,” she said.
With over 500,000 additional skilled trades workers expected to be needed across Ontario within the next decade, STO’s leadership transition arrives amid significant demand for skilled labour in the province.