Skills/Compétences Canada

What Skills/Compétences Canada does

Skills/Compétences Canada is a Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization founded in 1989 and headquartered at #201-294 Albert St in Ottawa, Ontario. It operates as the only national multi-trade and technology competition organization in Canada, promoting skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth through a federated structure of 13 provincial and territorial offices, national and international competitions (Skills Canada National Competition and WorldSkills), hands-on Try-A-Trade® career exploration activities, and digital engagement programs. The organization serves Canadian youth (students and apprentices), educators and schools, industry partners and employers facing a projected shortage of approximately 700,000 skilled trades workers retiring by the end of the decade, and federal and provincial government stakeholders funding workforce development initiatives.

The organization's core product is the annual Skills Canada National Competition, featuring 500+ competitors across 40+ skilled trade and technology areas spanning transportation, construction, manufacturing and engineering, information technology, and services sectors. Complementing it are provincial/territorial qualifying competitions, the WorldSkills international pathway, Try-A-Trade® and Technology Activities (50+ interactive experiences), Skills for Success resources, the annual National Skilled Trade and Technology Week, and targeted initiatives such as Empowering Women in Trades and Skills Showcase (Indigenous skills). The primary digital platform is the Let's Talk Careers competition delivered through the ChatterHigh platform in partnership with Let's Talk Science and Engineers Canada, which engaged 10,000+ students from 386 Canadian schools in its 2025 cycle (October 27 – December 5, 2025). Technology beyond this third-party platform integration is not central to operations; livestreaming of competition events has been carried out for five consecutive years.

Revenue is not disclosed but is generated through three streams: government funding (federal Government of Canada and provincial governments, including the Government of Ontario), corporate sponsorships (Home Hardware as Title Sponsor for SCNC 2026 plus core supporters UA Canada, Cenovus Energy, and Air Canada, and prize sponsors such as Gene Haas Foundation, AkzoNobel, Southwire, DEWALT, Messer Canada, and Sam Piercey Foundation), and individual/organizational donations. Programs are delivered at no cost to student and youth participants. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with no parent company or external equity investors, and it maintains partnerships with TikTok Canada (youth engagement), Canadian Armed Forces (career pathway promotion), and the Sam Piercey, Gloo Studios, and other prize sponsors across diverse trade categories.

Name

Skills/Compétences Canada

Legal name

Skills/Compétences Canada

Website

https://skillscompetencescanada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Skills/Compétences Canada is a Canadian not-for-profit, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Ottawa, that promotes skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth through national and international competitions, Try-A-Trade activities, and school-based digital programs, funded by government grants and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Skills Workforce Development

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical & Digital Skills Training (BPACANAB)

Keywords

• Skilled trades promotion
• Vocational skills competitions
• Career exploration programs
• Workforce development initiatives
• Youth trades awareness

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Skills/Compétences Canada receives funding from the Government of Canada and provincial governments (e.g., Government of Ontario) to support operations, national competitions, and youth skills development initiatives.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support, in-kind donations, and prizes for competitions. Sponsors include Home Hardware (Title Sponsor), UA Canada, Cenovus Energy, Air Canada, Gene Haas Foundation, and others who contribute to event execution and prize packages.
3. Donations: The organization accepts donations from individuals and organizations to support programs and initiatives promoting skilled trades careers among Canadian youth.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Skills/Compétences Canada is a national not-for-profit charitable organization that organizes and runs the Skills Canada National Competition, provincial/territorial competitions, and WorldSkills participation to promote skilled trade and technology careers among Canadian youth. It delivers Try-A-Trade hands-on activities, online career exploration competitions, year-round awareness programs, and partner-funded initiatives that connect students and apprentices with industry mentors and pathways into trades careers.

Product overview

Skills/Compétences Canada is a national not-for-profit charitable organization (founded in 1989) that operates a portfolio of programs and competitions to promote skilled trades and technology careers among Canadian youth. The core offerings include the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) as the flagship event, supported by Provincial and Territorial Competitions and WorldSkills International Competition participation. Complementary programs include Try-A-Trade® and Technology Activities for career exploration, Skills for Success resources, National Skilled Trade and Technology Week, and Let's Talk Careers Competition delivered via the ChatterHigh platform. Targeted initiatives address underrepresented groups including Empowering Women in Trades, Skills Showcase (Indigenous skills), and specialized awards like the John Oates Memorial Award. The organization is funded by government and corporate sponsors including Home Hardware (Title Sponsor), UA Canada, Cenovus Energy, and Air Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) The only national multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in Canada, featuring over 500 competitors across more than 40 skilled trade and technology areas. The event serves as the primary vehicle for identifying and recognizing top skilled youth talent in the country.
• Provincial and Territorial Competitions Regional competitions held across Canadian provinces and territories that serve as qualifying events for the national competition, allowing competitors to advance through local and regional levels.
• WorldSkills International Competition International competition program where Team Canada competitors represent the country on the global stage, competing against skilled youth from around the world.
• Try-A-Trade® and Technology Activities Hands-on career exploration activities that allow youth to experience different skilled trades and technology fields firsthand, featuring over 50 interactive activities at national events.
• Skills for Success Resources and programming focused on developing essential foundational skills needed for success in any career path, including communication, problem-solving, and adaptability.
• National Skilled Trade and Technology Week Annual awareness week held in the first week of November to promote careers in skilled trades and technologies among Canadian youth, culminating with the Skills Canada National Competition announcement.
• Let's Talk Careers Competition Online career exploration competition delivered through the ChatterHigh platform where students answer daily quizzes to explore thousands of career options, with $32,500 in cash prizes available. The 2025 edition engaged over 10,000 students from 386 schools.
• Empowering Women in Trades Initiative designed to introduce young women to career opportunities in the skilled trades, featuring dedicated spaces and activities at national competitions.
• Skills Showcase Initiative featuring First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Skills, designed to highlight Indigenous trade skills and provide career pathways for Indigenous youth.
• DEWALT Tool Enhancement Program Program through which DEWALT donates tools used at national competition venues, leaving a legacy in each host city and supporting competitor training and event operations.
• Skills Canada Collision Repair Program Program promoting opportunities in the automotive industry, specifically collision repair careers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ students engaged in career exploration through Let's Talk Careers competition (October 27 - December 5, 2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Partnership to upskill Indigenous youth through hands-on plumbing training and mentorship programs. Focus on Walpole Island First Nation in southwestern Ontario with community plumbing renovation project planned for October 2026, including pre-apprenticeship training for local youth.
• UA CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Partnering with IWSH and SCC to strengthen Canada's skilled plumber workforce and improve water and sanitation access in Indigenous communities through practical training, mentorship by licensed plumbers, and career pathway presentations.
• Home Hardware Stores LimitedcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 November 2025Home Hardware serves as Title Sponsor of the Skills Canada National Competition 2026 in Toronto. The partnership aims to promote careers in skilled trades and technologies among Canadian youth, with Home Hardware participating through various activities and presentations at the event.
• UA CanadacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUA Canada is listed as a supporter of the Skills Canada National Competition 2026 alongside other sponsors including Home Hardware, Cenovus Energy, and Air Canada. Also partnered in April 2026 with IWSH and SCC for Indigenous youth plumber training initiative.
• Cenovus EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCenovus Energy is listed as a supporter/sponsor of the Skills Canada National Competition 2026, contributing to event funding and promotion of skilled trades careers.
• Air CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAir Canada is listed as a supporter/sponsor of the Skills Canada National Competition 2026, providing transportation and sponsorship support.
• TikTok CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with TikTok Canada as part of the 2026 competition, bringing television personalities and TikTok creators to the event to help raise awareness among young Canadians about rewarding careers in skilled trades and technologies.
• Let's Talk Science and Engineers CanadacoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to offer the Let's Talk Careers competition on the ChatterHigh platform, enabling students from across Canada to discover careers in skilled trades and technologies through daily 10-question quizzes and career exploration activities.
• Gene Haas FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides cash awards to medalists in Precision Machining and CNC Machining categories at Skills Canada National Competition, recognizing excellence in manufacturing trades.
• Canadian Armed ForcesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization that supports Skills Canada events and encourages youth to discover skilled trade and technology careers as career pathways within the military.
• DEWALTminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDEWALT Tool Enhancement Program leaves a legacy in each National Competition host city through donation of tools used onsite, supporting competitor training and event operations.
• AkzoNobelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAwards $2,500 prize (Dave Smith Award) to post-secondary gold medalist in Car Painting at Skills Canada National Competition 2026.
• Sam Piercey FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAwards cash prizes to gold medalists in Post-Secondary Autobody Repair and Car Painting at Skills Canada National Competition 2026.
• Gloo Studios and Range Road MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGift 4K monitors to gold medalists in Video Production at the Skills Canada National Competition 2026.
• Messer Canada Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAwards prize packages (including welding machines) to welding medalists at Skills Canada National Competition 2025.
• SouthwireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAwards prize packages to gold medalists in Electrical Installations at Skills Canada National Competition; Southwire employees share skills stories to promote trades careers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Peers

• BuildForce Canada:

Direct peers

• WorldSkills International: Global body that organizes the biennial WorldSkills Competition. SCC manages Team Canada's participation through this organization, making it the parent platform and a direct operational peer for international competition programming.
• SkillsUSA: U.S. national nonprofit for skilled trades and technical careers through state and national competitions, workforce programs, and SkillsUSA Championships. The closest direct international analogue to Skills/Compétences Canada — same model (national federation, competitions, career exploration) but in the United States.
• WorldSkills UK: UK national body that organizes WorldSkills UK competitions and skills-based career programs. Operates the same competition-to-career-pathway model as SCC in a different geography, serving as the closest international peer in terms of mission and structure.
• Skills Ontario: Provincial member organization hosting Skills Ontario Competition and Skills Canada-affiliated programs in Ontario. Direct peer as one of the 13 provincial/territorial Skills Canada organizations that feed competitors into SCC's national competition.
• Skills Quebec / Compétences Québec: Provincial francophone counterpart organizing Quebec's skills competitions and feeding into the national SCC ecosystem. Direct peer with parallel programming model and bilingual reach that overlaps SCC's mandate.

Regional players

• EuroSkills: European continental skills competition organized by WorldSkills Europe. Comparable in mission and format to SCC's national competition, but operates at the pan-European regional level rather than within a single country.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• TikToktiktok.com/@skillscanada
• Xx.com/Skills_Canada
• Facebookfacebook.com/skillscanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skills-competences-canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Skills/Compétences Canada