Building Up

Building Up We are a Contracting Social Enterprise training Torontonians to enter the skilled trades.

More than just woodworking. 🪵🤝We brought our alumni back together for a special woodworking event filled with connection...
06/02/2026

More than just woodworking. 🪵🤝

We brought our alumni back together for a special woodworking event filled with connection, community, and craftsmanship. Alumni who had been out of work had the chance to reconnect with their Alumni Case Manager, share laughs, conversations, and support while building something meaningful together, both literally and personally.

From cutting wood to building benches, sharing meals, and catching up like family, this day reminded us that Building Up goes far beyond the trades. Once you’re alumni, you’re always family. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who came out, built with us, ate with us, and made the space feel like home again. The bench we created is more than wood. It’s a symbol of resilience, community, and rebuilding together.

We are honoured to share that we have been recognized as a Finalist at the 2026 Building Diversity Awards by the Toronto...
06/01/2026

We are honoured to share that we have been recognized as a Finalist at the 2026 Building Diversity Awards by the Toronto Community Benefits Network 🎉

This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to embedding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into every part of our work and decision making. We are incredibly proud of our team, partners and community members who help bring this mission to life every day.

This certificate represents more than an acknowledgement. It reflects our shared belief that inclusive, community driven work creates stronger opportunities for everyone.

Thank you to the Toronto Community Benefits Network for this recognition and congratulations to all the other inspiring finalists who are helping move this work forward 💙

We’ve been mentoring EnviroCentre in Ottawa as they bring the Building Up model to life through their new social enterpr...
05/29/2026

We’ve been mentoring EnviroCentre in Ottawa as they bring the Building Up model to life through their new social enterprise EC Build.

They’re training newcomers in retrofit and building science skills to help tackle both the climate crisis and the shortage of skilled trades workers. Early progress is already being highlighted in international coverage, showing real momentum in the work.

Proud to see this model being replicated and making impact where it’s needed most. 🏠 ⚒️ 🌎

A little sneak peek from inside our new training facility 👀🎨Our new training facility is coming to life, and these accen...
05/28/2026

A little sneak peek from inside our new training facility 👀🎨

Our new training facility is coming to life, and these accent walls are more than just a fresh coat of paint. They represent the generosity, belief and commitment of the partners helping us create a space where more people can access hands-on trades training and build meaningful careers.

Each sponsored room is part of a bigger vision: a new home for learning, growth and opportunity.

We’re so grateful to the funders standing behind this renovation and investing in the future of Building Up, our trainees and the skilled trades workforce.

We’ll be sharing more about the amazing partners behind these spaces as we get closer to opening our doors. For now, here’s a first look at what they’re helping make possible.

We’re so proud to partner with Fengate Asset Management on the launch of the Building Her Up scholarship, created to sup...
05/27/2026

We’re so proud to partner with Fengate Asset Management on the launch of the Building Her Up scholarship, created to support women building careers in the skilled trades.

Meet Akeba Canning, the first recipient of this scholarship and a current Building Up trainee. Akeba brings incredible drive, determination and vision to her future in the trades, and we’re excited to cheer her on as she continues building what’s next.

While Building Up is offered at no cost to participants, partnerships like this make it possible for us to keep opening doors and provide the hands-on training, support and mentorship participants need to move forward with confidence.

Huge thank you to the Fengate team for believing in Akeba, in Building Up and in more inclusive pathways into construction.

Read more through the link in our bio.

05/26/2026

At Building up, we know success in the skilled trades is built with more than tools and training, it’s built with wellness, balance, and community.

From the job site to everyday life, taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional well-being matters. Strong workers build strong communities, but strong communities also support their workers.

In the trades, resilience is important, but so is rest, support, growth, and knowing you don’t have to carry everything alone.

Here’s to creating healthier pathways in the trades, where wellness and opportunity go hand in hand.

Cohort 70, you did it 👏🏽Eight weeks of early mornings, new skills, challenges, and growth later, you’ve wrapped up your ...
05/25/2026

Cohort 70, you did it 👏🏽

Eight weeks of early mornings, new skills, challenges, and growth later, you’ve wrapped up your classroom training and stepped into the next chapter on site where it all starts to feel real 🧰🏗️

Seeing you together, smiling, and standing proud says everything about the effort you’ve put in and the momentum you’re carrying forward 😊 Now it’s tools on, boots up, and time to keep building your future in the trades 🦺🔨

We’re proud of how far you’ve come and even more excited for where you’re headed next 🚀 Keep learning, keep showing up, and keep building 💪

Our alumni had an incredible two-day hands-on learning experience with Local 30 🔨👷‍♂️, getting a behind-the-scenes look ...
05/22/2026

Our alumni had an incredible two-day hands-on learning experience with Local 30 🔨👷‍♂️, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the union, the sheet metal, siding & decking, and roofing trades, and the many pathways available to continue building their careers.

We brought 10 alumni participants who are interested in pursuing opportunities with SMWIA Local 30. On day one, representatives from all three divisions shared their knowledge, experiences, and insights into what it takes to join and thrive in the union. On day two, participants learned how to draft a project before heading into the workshop to create their own metal toolboxes from sheet metal 🧰⚒️

It was a meaningful experience filled with connection, skill-building, exploration, and hands-on learning 💪✨

Huge thank you to Local 30 for welcoming our alumni and helping create stronger pathways into the trades. Special thanks to Rob and Derek for your time, guidance, and support throughout the workshop 🙌

Ever wonder what actually happens when a heat pump gets installed? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at a typical one-day ...
05/21/2026

Ever wonder what actually happens when a heat pump gets installed? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at a typical one-day install 🔧🏡

It all starts with safely recovering the refrigerant from the existing air conditioner and carefully removing the old equipment. From there, the new heat pump is set in place, with both indoor and outdoor components working together as a system ❄️🔥

Next comes the technical work: running new electrical connections and refrigeration lines to make sure everything operates efficiently and safely ⚡🔌 Once that’s complete, a new smart thermostat is installed, often an EcoBee, and the homeowner gets a full walkthrough on how to use it 📱

That includes understanding the settings, like when the heat pump runs and when the gas furnace takes over for backup heating 🌡️

Before we leave, the space is fully cleaned up, and the goal is simple: a smooth install, a comfortable home, and a homeowner who feels confident using their new system 😊✨

Cohort 70 rolled up their sleeves and got straight to work at our new training facility 🔨🎨Over two hands-on days, traine...
05/20/2026

Cohort 70 rolled up their sleeves and got straight to work at our new training facility 🔨🎨

Over two hands-on days, trainees practiced finishing trades skills like painting, tiling, and final touch-ups while helping transform the very space where future cohorts will learn and grow.

There’s something special about building a training centre while actively training in it. Every brushstroke, tile, and detail brought our new space one step closer to opening and gave trainees valuable real-world experience along the way 💪

Real skills. Real progress. Real impact.

Address

Toronto, ON

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14167690830

Website

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