Approximately 2,000 Grade 7 and 8 students from across Grand Erie came together for Epic Jobs 2026, an annual hands-on career exploration event organized by the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie and its partners on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Now in its seventh year, Epic Jobs gave students the chance to get up close with the skilled trades, apprenticeships, and a wide range of local career paths. Held at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre in Brantford, the event drew students from the Grand Erie District School Board, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, and schools from Indigenous communities and private institutions across Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Haldimand and Norfolk Counties, County of Brant and the City of Brantford.
Over 40 exhibitors set up interactive stations where students could try their hand at various skilled trades, explore heavy equipment, engage with tradespeople, and discover the wide range of in-demand careers available right here in their own community.
“The Epic Jobs Event is an important opportunity for Grade 7 and 8 students to explore career pathways, gain real-world insight, and begin building the knowledge, skills, and awareness that will help shape their future as the next generation of Grand Erie’s workforce”, said Danette Dalton, Executive Director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie.
Dalton also explained that without opportunities like this and early exposure to careers and mentorship, growth and potential can be limited; and without the partnership, generosity, and commitment of our exhibitors and sponsors, who give so freely of their time, energy, expertise, and resources, this event simply would not be possible.
Trade unions, colleges, training organizations, and community partners participated in the event, and were encouraged to make their stations as interactive and hands-on as possible to engage and inspire young people. Some notable major employers attended the event, including Tigercat, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Laidlaw, Walters Group, and many more.
Epic Jobs is designed to spark curiosity and help students start thinking about their future early with guidance from parents, family, caregivers, educators and other important mentors. Organizers say the event is particularly important for introducing young people to the skilled trades at a time when demand for tradespeople across the region continues to grow.
