The Thames Valley District School Board hosted an information session in Tillsonburg, Ontario, on March 10, 2026, to help students and their families explore careers in the skilled trades. The event was held to show local families how learning a trade can be a reliable and successful way to start a career after high school.
The session featured Dr. Jon Callegher, who is the executive director of Job Talks and a researcher who studies the benefits of trade work. He provided data-driven reasons why these jobs are valuable and explained how they offer a strong alternative or addition to a traditional university education.
During the presentation, Dr. Callegher shared five specific reasons for students to consider becoming a tradesperson, focusing on the high demand for these skills in today‘s economy. He also worked to clear up common myths about the trades to help parents better understand the financial and emotional benefits of these roles.
The information night aimed to give families the tools they need to make informed decisions about their children’s future careers. By explaining how students can begin training programs while still in high school, the board hopes to help fill the need for more skilled workers in the local community.
