Workforce Windsor-Essex wants to attract more people into the skilled trades.
Given the growing economy, the increasing number of people retiring and the skills shortage, the group has launched six new resources aimed at getting people to think about the industry when making career choices.
It has launched a new career guide, new videos, improved website and a Test Drive Day on March 5th to allow students to visit workplaces.
Project Coordinator Tashlyn Teskey says skilled trades is a rewarding career.
"There has always been this stigma that these jobs are dangerous or they are for people who didn't do well in school but that is just not true, these are careers for smart people who just want to do more hands-on work and want to work in these types of sectors," says Teskey.
She adds skilled trades are often ignored when it comes to making career choices.
"We know that parents are the number one influencer on a child's career decision and universities and colleges are visiting high schools to tell students about their programs but skilled trades careers are often left out of the discussion," says Teskey.
"Test Drive Day will allow local students to tour workplaces that employ apprentices including construction, motor power, manufacturing and service companies, on March 5th we hope to have a couple hundred students get on school buses and tour any of a dozen employer workplaces throughout the region," adds Teskey.
Teskey say the goal of the new resources is to show people that these are great jobs and jobs that are available for people who want to work.
For the Gordie Howe International Bridge construction alone, it is estimated that it will need to fill 2,500 jobs and many of them in skilled trades.