A one-of-a-kind trades skills incubator has been launched by Windsor-based Build A Dream to give prospective workers a chance to experience nearly a dozen new career paths in the trades.
The incubator, being dubbed a career exploratory hub, is a collaboration with Zion Robotics and St. Clair College, allowing people a chance to work hands-on with machinery and equipment common within skilled trades, and experience what it's like to work on a construction site using virtual reality.
Stakeholders, partners and politicians cut the ribbon on the new Build A Dream trades development incubator at Zion Robotics on Sept. 11, 2025. (Nour Hachem/Build A Dream)
"It's bringing together industry, education and the community to support career exploration in a more innovative way," said Nour Hachem, president and founder of Build A Dream. "Whether it's students at the grade school or high school level, their parents or schools that are looking to schedule a tour, or even just job seekers wanting to explore what a career is like in various skilled trades, it's using a hands-on, exploratory framework to showcase what a day in the life could be like."
While Build A Dream typically focuses on the high school cohort, Hachem said this incubator is for anyone who is looking for a good quality job.
"The goal is to grow skills based on the demand within the community," said Hachem. "Seeing these potential careers or hearing about them is just one step closer to encouraging engagement and raising awareness."
Zion Robotics is providing the machinery and robotics equipment for two years to give people a taste of the trades, while Build A Dream will assist people with finding pathways to education.
And that's where St. Clair College comes in, as the founding partner in the incubator.
"St. Clair College plays such a critical and pivotal role in building the skills, education and hands-on upskilling for everyone in our community, so it was very important for us to engage St. Clair College as a founding partner, recognizing that a lot of the pathways that we're going to help job-seekers and students explore may end up being in a program at St. Clair College," said Hachem.
"It's bringing all the necessary stakeholders with their expertise and background to ensure that every job seeker, every student, has access not only to this information, but also the pathway to get there," she added.
"We are proud to partner with Build A Dream on the Incubator initiative, creating meaningful opportunities for women to explore careers in the skilled trades," said Lido Zuccato, Chair of the School of Skilled Trades at St. Clair College. "This initiative empowers participants to gain hands-on experience, grow their confidence, and pursue success in the trade of their choice."
Build A Dream is recruiting new industries or businesses to participate in the incubator, including those looking to fill positions.
Stakeholders, partners and politicians pose for a picture at the new Build A Dream trades development incubator at Zion Robotics on Sept. 11, 2025. (Nour Hachem/Build A Dream)
