Recognizing skilled trades are currently among the most in-demand jobs in Ontario, the Innovation Cluster Peterborough and the Kawarthas is offering a new program to help skills tradespeople transition from employees to business owners.
Called BuildUP, the business accelerator program is specifically designed to help workers in the skilled trades — welders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and more — who want to become their own boss.
Provided at no cost to accepted participants, BuildUP’s eight-week cohort program aims to equip journeypersons, upper-year apprentices, and experienced tradespeople in Ontario with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to launch and manage a business.
“The Innovation Cluster’s BuildUP program is directly targeted at helping skilled tradespeople fulfill their entrepreneurial aspirations and succeed,” Innovation Cluster board vice-chair Christine Crandell told kawarthaNOW. “Their success translates into economic growth and more jobs within the region.”
For the first year of the program, the Innovation Cluster is offering two cohorts of 20 participants each in the summer and fall, with the first cohort beginning on Tuesday, June 24. Applications for the first cohort are due by Monday, June 15.
Led by industry experts and successful trades business owners, the program’s curriculum covers setting up a business, tax basics, finding financing, customer service and reputation management, and hiring. Participants will meet once a week for two hours in the evening, both hybrid and in person at the Innovation Cluster’s offices in downtown Peterborough.
“The Innovation Cluster’s BuildUP program will provide much needed support for skilled tradespeople in Peterborough,” said Rebecca Schillemat, executive officer of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Home Builders Association, in a media release. “While many tradespeople excel in their craft, they often lack the foundational knowledge needed to launch and sustain a successful business.”
To support BuildUP participants with one-on-one mentorship, Innovation Cluster has expanded its Experts in Residence program to include Trades Experts in Residence: Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty (real estate development), Grant Conrad of WorkforceWins (human resources health and safety), Craig Mortlock of Mortlock Construction (general contracting), Hayden Mumford of Sparkies Electric (transitioning to owner from employee), and Madeleine Hurrell (small business financing and cash flow).
Upon completing the BuildUP program, participants will receive a certificate and a digital badge and will be prepared to launch their business and start serving customers.
According to Crandell, the impetus for creating the BuildUP program came from the portion of the Innovation Cluster’s charter to monitor emerging trends.
“Where those trends fall within the Innovation Cluster’s wheelhouse of competencies, we determine how the organization can address the trends to the benefit and growth of the region,” she said.
“Skilled trades are some of the most in-demand jobs in Ontario. The growing rate at which skilled tradespeople are retiring contributes to a labour shortage. The Innovation Cluster sees firsthand the negative impacts of the growing labour shortage — namely, clients unable to find or build out suitable commercial space and the inability to find local housing for their employees and families.”
The initial response to the BuildUP program has been very positive, Crandell added.
Designed for commercial and residential trades, the program follows a proven format that the Innovation Cluster uses for its other business accelerator programs, such as the LevelUP program designed for entrepreneurs with a minimum viable product who are ready to enter the market and scale.
BuildUP is an Employment Ontario program funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
For more information and to apply, visit innovationcluster.ca/buildup.
