Canada’s Skilled Trades College is in the final stages of opening its first US flagship campus in Miami. With nine locations in Ontario and throughout the Toronto area in Canada, the first US location will occupy about 30,000 square feet in downtown Miami’s Omni building at 1501 Biscayne Blvd., with a goal of enrolling about 800 new apprentices annually, said Ralph Cerasuolo, Skilled Trades College’s founder and CEO. “Miami is very similar to Toronto in a lot of aspects and also is top three in where people are moving to in the US for opportunity, growth and better quality of life,” he said. “And a big part of a growing city is the demand for the construction force and to maintain the existing buildings and homes.” With the first classes beginning in January 2027, the college offers pre-apprenticeship programs in electrical, plumbing and HVAC. The three-month programs help students gain a foundational understanding of the trades, learn basic skills and prepare for entry into an apprenticeship program. The programs include exposure to the work environment through classroom instruction, hands-on training and job-shadowing opportunities. “In the last 30 years, the ratio of people leaving the trades versus getting into the trades is seven to one,” Mr. Cerasuolo added. “So, there’s far more leaving than coming in, and the demand has been growing, especially in cities like Miami.” With the upcoming launch of the new Miami campus, Skilled Trades College has partnered with the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), which will contribute $500,000 in scholarships to the Miami location for individuals who cannot afford education, Mr. Cerasuolo said. “I anticipate in five years we’ll probably have eight to nine locations throughout Florida, from Orlando right down to where our head office is in Miami,” he said. Even with the trade issues and challenges the US and Canada are currently facing, Mr. Cerasuolo said the US government has fully embraced the launch of the new college expansion. “I think it’s more smoke than fire, and the truth of the matter is that both Canada and the US are trying to get the best deal for their country, and it’s going to happen. It’s just taking a little longer than everybody thought,” he said. “The US embraces any business that wants to expand into the market. Not only are we helping the community, but we’re employing Americans and helping a real industry that’s in dire need of new help. We’re coming to participate in the growth of Miami, the state of Florida and the US for that matter.” The post Canada’s Skilled Trades College plans to open in downtown Miami appeared first on Miami Today. ...read more read less