Merit Ontario - Sponsor Spotlight
Legacy Builders is proud to recognize Merit Ontario as a Platinum Pillar Sponsor, supporting our mission to inspire the next generation of construction professionals.
At Merit Ontario, investing in the future workforce isn’t just an initiative — it’s a core part of who they are. As an organization representing construction employers across Ontario, Merit sees firsthand the growing demand for skilled workers and the importance of introducing young people to the opportunities available in the skilled trades. By supporting Legacy Builders, Merit Ontario is helping connect students with an industry full of possibility, purpose, and long-term career potential.
Ontario’s continued growth depends on the people who build it. From schools and hospitals to roads, homes, and community spaces, skilled trades professionals play a vital role in shaping the province. With many experienced tradespeople nearing retirement, organizations like Merit Ontario are working to ensure the next generation is ready to step forward. Programs like Legacy Builders introduce students to these careers early, helping address the skilled labour shortage while showing young people that construction is a rewarding and respected career path. Legacy Builders exists to expose students to the wide range of opportunities within construction and challenge outdated perceptions about the industry.
Merit Ontario actively supports career development and workforce growth through several initiatives. As a group sponsor for apprenticeships, they currently support more than 500 apprentices across 10 different trades, helping register, mentor, and guide them through to completion. They also provide over 70 online courses tailored to the construction sector, including leadership training through The Construction Edge (TCE) program and certification preparation for trades such as plumbing and steamfitting. In addition, Merit partners with school boards, colleges, and Employment Ontario agencies to raise awareness of skilled trades careers, while operating a job board that connects employers with a network of more than 52,000 job seekers.
For students and families considering the skilled trades, Merit Ontario emphasizes that these are careers, not just jobs. Many apprentices begin earning while they train, avoiding large student debt while building valuable, in-demand skills. Certified tradespeople in Ontario often earn competitive wages, with many journeypersons earning $70,000–$100,000 or more annually, with additional opportunities for advancement into leadership roles or entrepreneurship.
Just as importantly, Merit Ontario is helping challenge outdated perceptions about construction. Today’s industry is innovative and technology-driven, involving advanced equipment, digital tools, and highly skilled professionals collaborating to build modern infrastructure. For many people, the trades provide something deeply meaningful: the ability to create something real, lasting, and essential to communities.
For Merit Ontario, partnering with Legacy Builders represents a commitment to long-term impact. By helping students see the skilled trades as a first-choice career pathway, they are contributing to a stronger workforce and a more resilient construction industry for generations to come.
Because when we invest in young people today, we are building much more than infrastructure, we are building the future.
Join Us in Building the Future Workforce
Legacy Builders Construction Careers Association is excited to build deeper partnerships with schools, families, industry leaders, and community champions who share our passion for empowering youth.
Whether you are an educator, an employer, a trades professional, or a parent—we invite you to be part of this movement.
We currently offer three sponsorship tiers for businesses, and we’re excited to introduce a fourth category for individuals who wish to support our mission on a personal level. These contributors will be recognized on our Honour Roll of Supporters as a meaningful part of the Legacy Builders community.
