"I now feel prepared and motivated to pursue a successful career in the trades.”

In April 2025, ILEO launched the Construction Union Pathways Program, which aims to provide a new pool of labour in the construction industry and create a sustainable workforce for underrepresented individuals living in the Greater Golden Mile and Greater Weston Mount Dennis through employment training, mentorship and work placement opportunities.

Dawit Mebrahtom is one of 47 participants in the program and is pursuing a career path in the construction sector. Read more about Dawit’s experience below.

Dawit Mebrahtom: What interests me most about working in the skilled trades is the hands-on nature of the work and the opportunity to build something real and lasting. I enjoy seeing the results of my effort at the end of the day. I like the combination of physical skills, teamwork, and problem-solving that it requires.

Dawit Mebrahtom: My goal is to become a certified tradesperson and build a long-term career in construction. The skilled trades training gives me the foundation I need to grow — from learning safety standards and technical skills to understanding how the industry operates. It’s the first step toward apprenticeship and professional certification.

Dawit Mebrahtom: The ILEO program has opened doors for me by connecting me with real opportunities in the unionized construction industry. It is helping me to build confidence, gain practical knowledge, and understand what employers are looking for. I now feel prepared and motivated to pursue a successful career in the trades.

Dawit Mebrahtom: If I hadn’t taken this program, I’d probably still be searching for direction or working temporary jobs. The program gave me a clear path and showed me that a skilled trade can be a stable and rewarding career.

Dawit Mebrahtom: The most valuable part was the hands-on learning and support from instructors and mentors. I also appreciated the opportunity to meet industry professionals and learn about union opportunities. The program gave me both the skills and the confidence to start my career. I also met a couple of teachers who were very sociable and intelligent, and they made the learning experience even more enjoyable and motivating.

Graduating as a CCW is a proud achievement that marks the start of a new journey in the skilled trades. Through this training, I gained valuable hands-on experience, teamwork, and safety skills. This program has built not only my skills but also my confidence to grow and succeed in the construction industry.

The ILEO Construction Union Pathways Program provides pre-employment training delivered by community agencies, trades training delivered by unions, mentorship, and work placements on construction sites across the region.

The aim of this project is to provide a new pool of labour in the construction industry and create a sustainable workforce by reducing barriers for underrepresented individuals.

This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

To learn more about how United Way Greater Toronto, BMO and other private, public and community partners are working together to ensure the benefits of this development flow to existing residents check out the Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity Initiative (ILEO).