George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
George Brown Polytechnic welcomed youth and young adults to its Casa Loma Campus on October 7 for the annual Building Opportunities for Life Today (BOLT) Day of Discovery, an event designed to inspire the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Hosted in partnership with the BOLT Foundation and Tridel, the Day of Discovery introduced participants to the wide range of career pathways available in the construction and skilled trades sectors through interactive learning experiences, campus tours, and industry engagement.
The event brought together leaders from education, industry, and government, including The Honourable Matthew Rae, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries; MPP Laura Smith, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Norbert DaCosta, Executive Director of the BOLT Foundation; and senior representatives from the Tridel team.
Supporting Ontario's skilled trades workforce
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the important role George Brown plays in supporting Ontario’s growing demand for skilled trades talent. As the province continues to invest in skilled trades training and workforce development to address housing and infrastructure needs, initiatives such as the BOLT Day of Discovery help connect young people with meaningful career opportunities and strengthen Ontario’s future workforce.
Participants heard welcoming remarks from Dr. Adel Esayed, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science, Construction and Engineering Technologies, before touring George Brown’s state-of-the-art labs and learning spaces. The day concluded with a visit to a Tridel construction site in downtown Toronto, where future students gained firsthand insight into construction careers and the impact those careers have on building communities.
Building the future through hands-on learning
Speaking to participants about the value of the skilled trades, MPP Laura Smith highlighted the lasting impact of careers in the sector. “When you embark on this possible career, you will know that you're building something that can be here 100 years from now, 200 years from now. It's an investment in our future, and it's an investment in all of us.”
Since 2009, the BOLT Foundation has helped young people explore careers in construction through scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and experiential learning. In partnership with George Brown, the foundation has supported hundreds of students while helping address the growing need for skilled trades professionals across the province.
By bringing together students, educators, industry partners, and government leaders, the BOLT Day of Discovery continues to create pathways into rewarding careers and demonstrate the critical role skilled trades play in Ontario’s economic growth and housing future.
Apply for a BOLT Foundation Scholarship
The BOLT Charitable Foundation Award is available to students in select programs within George Brown’s Faculty of Applied Science, Construction and Engineering Technologies. Eligible applicants must be full-time domestic students in financial need who have demonstrated an interest in pursuing a career in construction.
Learn more and apply through George Brown’s Awards and Scholarships page.
