Building Ontario’s Workforce. Strengthening Ontario’s Future.

Mark Tenaglia • December 8, 2025

We had the privilege of attending the Empire Club of Canada, where Minister David Piccini delivered a powerful keynote: “Delivering a Nation-Building Workforce.”

His message captured exactly what we see every day at the Oaks Revitalization Association, that when government leads with vision, invests in people, and breaks down barriers, lives change and communities rise.


Under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford’s government, Ontario is building a workforce that is strong, skilled, and reflective of our province’s diversity. A workforce where youth from marginalized communities can access real careers, earn real wages, and contribute to a prosperous Ontario.


For organizations like ours, this kind of leadership isn’t just policy, it’s possibility.


It means young people who once felt overlooked are now working, building, learning, and stepping into futures filled with dignity and stability.


A heartfelt thank you to Minister David Piccini for his commitment to building a nation-shaping workforce, and for recognizing the importance of community-based programs that help people overcome barriers.


And a huge thank you to LiUNA Local 183, your unwavering support, world-class training, and belief in the potential of our young people continue to transform lives every single day.


Together, we’re not just creating opportunities, we’re helping to build a stronger, safer, more prosperous Ontario for everyone. 💛💪

Share

Person using a sledgehammer, focused on the hammer hitting a metal object. Blue handle, outdoor setting.

Learning a skill opens the door to possibility.

By Mark Tenaglia • November 28, 2025
At The ORA, we believe knowledge and training are the first steps toward independence and empowerment. When you learn a skill, you’re not just gaining a job. You’re discovering options.
Two men inside. One in a blue beanie holds a cup. The other wears a gray shirt. They stand near a blue sign.

Interview Day

By Mark Tenaglia • November 28, 2025
Today, our clients had the incredible opportunity to hear from Mr. Jack Oliveira, Business Manager of LiUNA Local 183, a leader who has lived the journey, earned the respect, and built a legacy through hard work and loyalty. His message was simple, strong, and unforgettable: “You can sleep when you’re dead.”
Construction worker in orange jacket and safety vest swings a sledgehammer at a pile of rubble.

Training isn’t about getting everything right the first time.

By Mark Tenaglia • November 26, 2025
Training isn’t about getting everything right the first time. It’s about showing up, trying, failing, learning, and coming back stronger the next day.
Construction crane against a blue sky, with a building and parked vehicles in the background.

The early mornings build more than just structures

By Mark Tenaglia • November 25, 2025
In the skilled trades, success starts long before the first tool hits the ground. It begins with showing up, early, prepared, and ready to work. Being on time isn’t just about the clock; it’s about respect, for yourself, your crew, and the craft you’re building.

True satisfaction doesn’t come from the paycheque, it comes from the purpose behind the work.

By Mark Tenaglia • November 20, 2025
In the skilled trades, every day brings something real. You can see the results of your effort — a wall built, a room finished, a foundation laid strong and steady. That’s pride. That’s purpose.
Five people seated behind a table with a sign that reads,

What an incredible day at LiUNA Local 183 Training Centre’s 2025 Industry Awareness Event

By Mark Tenaglia • November 18, 2025
The Oaks Revitalization Association (ORA) had the pleasure of participating and showcasing the life-changing work we do, helping individuals from marginalized communities build solid careers, stability, and pride through the skilled trades.
Man wearing a blue Calvin Klein hoodie, standing outside a building in sunlight.

Turning Struggle Into Strength: Daniel’s Story of Perseverance and Purpose

By Mark Tenaglia • November 18, 2025
Daniel is a 30-year-old resident of the Jane and Finch area, a neighbourhood where opportunities often feel out of reach and stability can be difficult to secure.
Person using a trowel to apply mortar on cinder blocks.

Standing by Success: The Truth About the Skills Development Fund

By Mark Tenaglia • November 18, 2025
The Oaks Revitalization Association is proud to stand firmly in support of the Skills Development Fund (SDF), a program that has quietly transformed thousands of lives across Ontario.
People in a line at a service counter. Interior shot, overhead lighting. Many wearing hoods and jackets. Barriers separate the line.

From Perseverance to Prosperity.

By Mark Tenaglia • November 17, 2025
At the Oaks Revitalization Association (ORA), we believe in second chances, hard work, and the power of transformation. Today, we witnessed something truly inspiring, four of our clients who showed unwavering commitment, discipline, and heart have officially become proud members of LiUNA Local 183.
Man in hoodie smiles, gestures while speaking in a room with a clear glass wall and person facing away.

Changing Lives from the Inside Out

October 13, 2025
We don’t simply prepare young men for the skilled trades, we prepare them for life. Every session is designed to challenge the way participants think, act, and see themselves. Through guided reflection, honest conversations, and real-world lessons, we help them dismantle negative thought patterns, rebuild self-belief,