News

Press Release: Helping Neurodivergent Learners Turn Trades Training into Careers

January 20, 2026

Learn. Develop. Succeed. turns training seats into certification for neurodivergent trades workers

VANCOUVER — January 21, 2026 — While federal and provincial governments have invested heavily in expanding skilled trades training through increased funding, new apprenticeship pathways, and additional training seats, completion remains a critical bottleneck. Many capable learners struggle to persist through rigid training models and certification requirements, limiting the return on public investment even as workforce demand continues to grow.

As apprenticeship intakes continue and labour shortages persist across construction, infrastructure, and other essential sectors, organizations are increasingly focused not just on access to training, but on completion and certification outcomes.

By the Numbers

Governments in Canada invest hundreds of millions of dollars annually in apprenticeship and skilled trades training and support.
In British Columbia, fewer than 6,500 apprentices complete certification each year, despite tens of thousands of projected skilled trades job openings over the next decade.
An estimated 20 per cent of the population is neurodivergent.
Within the construction industry, 25 per cent of workers identify as neurodivergent, yet most training systems lack tailored learning support.

The trades already rely heavily on neurodivergent talent, yet training and certification systems continue to operate largely on one-size-fits-all models, creating unnecessary barriers for capable learners who are well suited to hands-on, technical careers.

“Public investment has created opportunity, but opportunity alone is not enough,” said George Wallace, Skills for Trades Program Manager at Learn. Develop. Succeed. “Without the right supports, many learners never reach certification. LDS helps ensure that available training opportunities translate into certified, job-ready workers, strengthening the workforce while improving the return on public investment.”

Skills for Trades Program

LDS’ Skills for Trades program is a non-vocational initiative designed to help fill existing training and apprenticeship seats with neurodivergent candidates. Through individualized learning support, one-to-one mentorship, assistive technology, and certification preparation, the program helps learners persist through training and successfully complete their credentials.

LDS works with learners who often excel on job sites but encounter barriers in classroom-based instruction, written exams, or rigid program structures. By addressing these challenges directly, Skills for Trades supports persistence through to certification rather than early exit from training pathways.

Skilled Trades Scholarships

The launch of Skilled Trades Scholarships extends this work further by supporting neurodivergent youth and young adults as they transition from secondary school into post-secondary training, apprenticeship, and early employment.

Through the Bright Futures Skilled Trades Scholarship and the Stewart McCuaig Memorial Scholarship, learners receive multi-year financial assistance alongside sustained learning and executive-function coaching. Together, these supports help learners cross the finish line, not just enter the race, by addressing both academic and practical barriers that too often prevent capable individuals from completing trades training and achieving certification.

Together, these initiatives help close the gap between public investment, available training capacity, and workforce outcomes, ensuring more skilled trades seats lead to certified workers ready to meet British Columbia’s economic needs.

Founding Supporters

“This work simply would not be possible without our founding supporters,” said Rachel Forbes, Executive Director of Learn. Develop. Succeed. “Their belief in neurodivergent learners and in inclusive, well-supported pathways into the trades has helped turn opportunity into lasting impact. Together, we are ensuring talented learners are not left behind and that public investment in skills training leads to meaningful outcomes.”

Founding partners include Coast Capital Savings, Premium Brands, RBC Foundation, Scotiabank’s ScotiaRISE, The Stollery Charitable Foundation, Pacific Spirit Foundation, and Greg and Elese Sullivan. LDS also acknowledges SkilledTradesBC for its in-kind support and ongoing advisory role.

About LDS – Learn. Develop. Succeed.

Learn. Develop. Succeed. is a nonprofit charity that empowers children, youth and adults with learning differences to build the confidence, skills and independence they need to thrive. Founded in 1970, LDS delivers research-informed, individualized education programs both in person and live online. LDS is committed to ensuring that high-quality learning support is available to all learners, regardless of their financial circumstances. Visit ldsociety.ca.

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