Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus

“If you build it, they will come” is a well-known adapted quote from the movie Field of Dreams about the building of a baseball field to attract the famous Shoeless Joe Jackson. The phrase suggests that effort, belief and creating value will bring success. 

Attracting new entrants into trades education and training programs is the first step towards addressing Ontario’s skilled trades talent shortage. With the building of a comprehensive state-of-the art trades campus at 25 Reuter Drive in Cambridge, Conestoga College’s vision is to raise the profile of the skilled trades, expand training capacity and support efforts to attract a broader, more diverse student population to these essential career pathways. 

Enrolment in skilled trades programming at Conestoga continues to grow – an encouraging sign that investing in modern training spaces truly supports the “if you build it, they will come” adage and reinforces the college’s commitment to strengthening Ontario’s workforce in this area.  

With Collaborative Structures Limited (CSL) leading this build, Phase 1 opened in September 2022 and offers training opportunities in construction and industrial apprenticeships and related post-secondary programs. Phase 2 is scheduled to open in September 2026 and will add motive power programs (Truck and Coach, Heavy Equipment Technician and Automotive) as well as carpentry and renovation-focused programs.   Over half of the space in each phase is dedicated to shops and labs that support hands-on, applied learning.  

Recognizing that skilled trades training is a collective effort between industry and training providers, Conestoga welcomes industry partnerships and collaborations.   If you have interest in partnering with the college, or interest in a tour of the skilled trades campus, please contact trades@conestogac.on.ca   

Stay tuned for future updates as this exciting project nears completion.    

Rendering courtesy of Diamond Schmitt Architects.