Ontario’s skilled trades are facing a critical moment, and London is answering the call. A demand for electricians, welders, millwrights, and machinists among many others is surging across the province, and two groundbreaking initiatives from Literacy Link South Central (LLSC) are helping ensure that both apprentices and employers have the tools to succeed – and London’s manufacturing sector has the workforce it needs to continue thriving.
London has long been a hub of advanced manufacturing excellence, home to world-leading companies in automotive, aerospace, food processing and industrial technology. But behind every cutting-edge product is a skilled trades professional, and that’s where LLSC’s initiatives in workforce development come in.
Through its Apprenticeship Readiness Inventory and Skills Evaluation (ARISE) initiative, LLSC is helping apprentices bridge the gap between motivation and readiness. The program provides literacy and numeracy upgrading, personalized learning assessments and confidence-building support for those who may struggle with exam anxiety or the academic side of apprenticeship training.
“Many apprentices are capable and eager to work in the trades, but face barriers related to reading, writing, math, or test preparation,” says Melanie Connell, a Communications Specialist at LLSC. “ARISE helps bridge that gap by offering literacy and numeracy upgrading, learning assessments, and personalized support so apprentices can succeed in school, certification exams, and on the job.”
For participants, results speak for themselves.
“I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for all the support you have provided me throughout my preparation for the [qualifying] exam,” one apprentice shares. “I am very pleased to share that I successfully passed the exam with a score of 84%. [LLSC’s] encouragement and assistance played a significant role in this achievement.”
LLSC’s Step Up and Succeed initiative, now in its second year, is focused on expanding how employers can engage with apprenticeship training. The initiative’s employer resource hub already features over 20 tools designed to simplify recruitment, onboarding and communication.
“Employers told us they wanted more hands-on guidance,” says Connell. “So this year, Step Up and Succeed includes one-on-one coaching, group training, and resources like Quick Guide: Support and Resources for Employers and Navigating Apprentice Barriers and Challenges. The focus is helping employers move from awareness to action.”
The program’s second phase builds on an important lesson from year one: traditional engagement doesn’t always reach everyone.
“We’re now taking a more flexible, personalized approach—meeting employers where they are and tailoring support to their needs,” Connell says.
That adaptability couldn’t come at a more crucial time. According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, Ontario will need 89,000 new journeypersons by 2031, requiring more than 296,000 new apprentice registrations across the province.
“ARISE and Step Up and Succeed aren’t just support programs,” says Connell. “They’re strategic levers that help Ontario strengthen its skilled trades sector. By focusing on both apprentice readiness and employer support, we’re helping build a stronger, more confident workforce that’s ready to meet industry demand.”
For the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and the region’s manufacturing leaders, these initiatives represent exactly the kind of forward-thinking collaboration London is known for. Local organizations like LLSC are doing more than training workers — they’re ensuring London’s economic engine keeps running strong. When apprentices succeed, so does industry.
For more information, apprentices can visit www.llsc.on.ca/arise, and employers can explore the Step Up and Succeed Employer Resource Hub at www.llsc.on.ca/employer-resource-hub.
