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provides rapid eight-week skills training in the construction trades for jobseekers in the York, Durham and Peel Regions in southern Ontario who face barriers to employment.

Emma Wood, ��������’s director of employment and expansion, says the organization is celebrating its fifth anniversary in September.

“We’ll have an event in October at our training centre in Aurora,” says Wood. “The many �������� partners who have participated in and contributed to the program will be invited.”

��������, a social enterprise by Blue Door, says it solves two challenges: A growing demand for skilled employees in the construction industry; and a need by vulnerable, low-income individuals for low-barrier jobs and a higher income in order to have and hold a place to live.

The �������� program comprises in-class training, on-the-job work experience, formal and informal customized support and connections to employment in long-term jobs in the trades.

Each �������� cohort consists of about10 participants. Approximately 15 per cent of the participants are women.

Participants in each of the regional programs receive the same in-class training at its facility in Aurora in trades mathematics, reading comprehension, social skills and work etiquette, trades skills and health and safety certifications.

Beyond that, �������� programs differ slightly between regions.

In York Region, it is partnering with the Labourers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 506 Training Centre.

�������� participants spend two weeks with LIUNA and six weeks with ��������.

In Peel Region, the �������� partner is Humber College. Program participants spend two days a week at Humber and three days at ��������.

In Durham Region, the focus is on carpentry. Participants spend three weeks with Durham College and five weeks with ��������.

Program support co-ordinator Hunter Rowe says trainees are introduced to a wide variety of trades, such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, brick and stone masonry and sheet metal work.

“We also take participants on tours and workshops with our local partners and unions, such as Carpenters’ Local 27/College of Carpenters and Allied Trades and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 353,” says Rowe. 

Intakes of trainees take place regularly throughout the year. In 2025, there are 27 cohorts, or an average of a little over two per month.

Program prerequisites are a Grade 10 education or equivalent, Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident status in Canada, and at least 18 years of age.

After graduating, some of the trainees continue with their education and some go back to work with an employer, but most begin apprenticeships with a union. 

“We work closely with the individuals in the program,” says Wood. “That’s one of the reasons for its success. Eighty per cent of graduates find employment within six months.”

�������� has just started a women-only cohort.

“We’ve completed two so far,” says Wood. “We have another one starting at the end of September in York Region.”

�������� trainees receive a wage of $16.55/hour for a 40 hour-week. 

In addition, they get a weekly food and transportation stipend and access to psychotherapy.

They also receive one-on-one support for the duration of the program and for up to 12 months after graduation, to assist in securing a long-term career.

Plus they get additional personal and professional supports from the YMCA and ACCESS Employment for one year after graduating.

�������� is a social enterprise by Blue Door Support Services.

“Blue Door is a service agency that brings innovative solutions to the housing continuum,” says Alex Cheng, vice-president, of programs and services. “Our goal is to ensure we house the homeless and save affordable housing.

“Our connection with �������� is that Blue Door works in a continuum of housing, and training and employment can be part of the solution of moving from homelessness to housing.”

The Blue Door name signifies a door in a house, a warm welcome to a stable, safe place for people who are in crisis or in need.

Blue Door was founded in 1982 in York Region, where it is the largest emergency housing provider.

It later expanded to Durham and Peel.