Built for results. Proven through ROI.

July 24, 2025

The Skilled Trades Development Program (STDP)

At its core, STDP is a 12-month transformation pipeline — not a handout, but a reset. Built in partnership with top-tier union training centres like LiUNA Local 183, the program prepares participants for long-term, high-performance careers in the skilled trades.

“I just want to show up and be better than I was yesterday.”

– Keishawn, ORA Participant

A man wearing a hard hat and safety glasses is working on a piece of wood.

“I’m not afraid of the work. I want to build something real.”

– Pharaoh, ORA Program Graduate

A group of men wearing hard hats and safety glasses are working in a warehouse.

What We Deliver:

  • Strategic Intake & Risk Screening
  • Foundational Cadre Instruction (4–5 weeks): a structured bootcamp that instills discipline, direction, and mental toughness
  • Union-Certified Skills Training (8–12 weeks): delivered through elite union partners
  • Full-Spectrum Support: mental health, food, transportation, safety gear, and trade tools
  • Direct Job Placement into unionized trades
  • Career Progression Tracking & Long-Term Operational Guidance

This isn’t just job training — it’s total recalibration.
Many arrive with no resume, no direction, and a long trail of damage behind them. We don’t coddle. We rebuild. Through clear instruction, firm structure, and mission-based development, we turn disqualified individuals into dependable tradespeople who can show up, step up, and move up

A Black man wearing a work uniform and a hard hat looks slightly off-camera in a factory setting.

Pharaoh’s Story

A Sharp Mind, A Strong Future

Watch
A man wearing a work hat with "KEISHAWN" on it, looking slightly concerned. He's in a work setting, possibly indoors.

Keishawn’s Story

Building Futures, One Step at a Time

Watch
A man is using a hammer to hammer a piece of wood.

Building Futures

Strengthening Communities

Watch

Pharaoh’s Story

A Sharp Mind, A Strong Future

Watch

Keishawn’s Story

Building Futures, One Step at a Time

Watch

Our model gets attention for one reason — it works.

Others try to copy it, but this isn’t a program. It’s a results-driven system built for long-term impact and serious ROI.

Share

Man in hoodie smiles, gestures while speaking in a room with a clear glass wall and person facing away.
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,
Group of ten people stand in front of a building with a blue wall. Signs with writing are above the group.
October 10, 2025
Our clients took a powerful step forward in their journey, walking through the doors of LiUNA Local 183 Training Centre and meeting the training director and instructors for the very first time.
Hand wearing a  glove smoothing mortar between a brick wall joint.
October 6, 2025
At OPCMIA LOCAL 598 Training Centre, our clients are mastering the craft of masonry—a trade that demands focus, skill, and perseverance. With the foundation built in ORA’s Boot Camp and mentoring program, they’re now gaining the hands-on training that will lead them into strong, stable careers. 👏 Thank you to OPCMIA
Man taking an oath, raising hand in front of a Canadian flag, indoors.
August 14, 2025
When Justin first arrived in Canada, he carried with him the same hopes and dreams shared by so many newcomers — to build a better life, contribute to his new community, and create a future he could be proud of.
Two men are giving each other a high five in a warehouse.
June 9, 2025
June is Men’s Mental Health Month, a time to shine a light on a silent crisis affecting millions of men across Canada. While strength, resilience, and stoicism have long been associated with masculinity, these same traits—when misunderstood—can lead to devastating outcomes when men feel they must suffer in silence.
The sun is shining through the windows of a building under construction.
June 9, 2025
There is a quiet strength in those who build. The ones who rise before the sun, pull on their boots, and step out into the world to move earth, pour concrete, raise walls, wire homes, and lay the foundation of entire communities. These are our tradespeople — the unsung heroes who turn blueprints into skylines, who build what the rest of the world takes for granted.
A large canadian flag is waving in the wind over a city
March 14, 2025
The possibility of Donald Trump imposing tariffs on Canada, while understandably shocking to the Canadian psyche and incredibly damaging to our economy, must be met with a level-headed and resolute response. As difficult as this scenario may be, Canadians must acknowledge that America, like any sovereign nation, has the right to impose tariffs as it sees fit. One of the fundamental tenets of our teachings at ORA-STDP is that the world is not fair, and one should never expect it to be so. Expecting fairness is a fool’s errand; instead, we must focus on how we adapt, innovate, and overcome adversity.
A group of young men are posing for a picture while sitting on a bench.
March 4, 2025
At the Oaks Revitalization Association (ORA), we are committed to ensuring that every individual who enters our program is fully prepared for success. As part of this commitment, our latest cohort had the opportunity to meet with the Assistant Director of LiUNA Local 183 Training Centre for an in-depth briefing on their upcoming training and the benefits of being part of a unionized workforce.
A group of soldiers are sitting in front of a computer screen in a dark room.
February 11, 2025
The journey to an inspiring and successful future starts with a single decision. Imagine a career where honour, courage, and service define your everyday life. In the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), you are not just part of an organization—you are part of a proud legacy of leadership and excellence that shapes both individuals and nations.
A man in a military uniform is writing on a piece of paper
January 31, 2025
In an era where socio-economic challenges are increasingly prevalent, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) stand as a beacon of opportunity for young Canadians seeking a path to upward mobility.