Toronto, Ontario, October 4, 2024 — Did you know that Canada is experiencing a growing labor shortage? In 2022, the Canadian federal government predicted that around 700,000 of the country’s skilled trade workers would retire by 2028, leaving important vacancies to fill*. The new live-action TVOkids Original series Trading Skills (26 x 11′) gives kids a sneak peek into the vibrant and rewarding world of skilled trade jobs that viewers could consider for their own future – and potentially very lucrative – careers. Stream Trading Skills across Canada starting Tues., Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. ET on TVOkids Digital platforms including TVOkids.com, TVOkids YouTube channel and Smart TV services. The series has its broadcast premiere on Tues., Oct. 15 at 4:05 p.m. ET on TVO.
“Trading Skills aims to open up the world of skilled trades to kids aged six to nine so they can learn about different jobs, appreciate their great benefits and be inspired to consider one of them as a career path for themselves,” says producer Francis Mitchell, Riverbank Productions. “It’s a big trade skills world out there and we wanted to open that door a little more for kids.”
“Recognizing the ongoing discussions about the skills gap in Ontario and beyond, we wanted to create a series that showcases the fantastic opportunities available in the skilled trades,” says Kirsten Hurd, Commissioning Editor at TVOkids. “We hope it inspires kids to explore careers they may not even know about!”
From their special workshop, kid hosts Akeylah James and Brody Agmon introduce viewers to a new skilled trade in every episode. They dive into different trades, taking turns meeting passionate tradespeople and giving viewers an inside look at their expertise. Through one-on-one interviews and hands-on activities, each episode highlights a trade from the kid hosts’ unique perspectives—crafted specifically for young audiences.
The series features a range of skilled trade jobs including auto service technician, electrician, ironworker, goldsmith, baker-patissier, horticulturist, mining millwright, welder, dairy herdsperson, construction craft worker, chef, hairstylist, and an arborist. The Trading Skills production team worked to intentionally feature a wide representation of tradespeople so that kids can see themselves on the screen and learn their stories. For example, auto service technician Nhu Nguyen is the only female in the world with a Porsche Classic certification and ironworker Jamie McMillan became an ironworker in 2002 when women only represented 2% of the trade workforce across Canada and the United States. Tammy Maki, a renowned Indigenous pastry chef, is also featured.
Riverbank Pictures filmed the series at locales across Ontario to shine a light on the province and its wonderfully diverse skilled tradespeople. Locations include the Greater Toronto Area, Vaughan, Hamilton, Waterdown, Sudbury, the Niagara region, the Caledon area, the Kitchener area, and Collingwood.
A Riverbank Pictures original production, Trading Skills is produced in association with TVOKids and is made with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund. The series is produced by Francis Mitchell, David Mitchell, Johnny Mitchell and written and directed by Johnny Mitchell and Emma Fox.
* Source
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ABOUT RIVERBANK PICTURES
Riverbank Pictures is a production company specializing in dynamic kids content, unscripted food/travel series and long form scripted projects. A family run business led by producers David and Francis Mitchell and writer/director Johnny Mitchell, Riverbank Pictures has received multiple best non-fiction kids series nominations at the Canadian Screen Awards. The team recently produced two seasons of their hit preschool crafting series, Curious Crafting, for TVO, which also aired on ABC Australia. Their new series Trading Skills premieres on TVOKids in October 2024.
ABOUT TVO MEDIA EDUCATION GROUP
TVO Media Education Group inspires learning that changes lives and enriches communities. Founded in 1970, we are a globally recognized digital learning organization that engages Ontarians of all ages with inclusive experiences and diverse perspectives. Through our brands TVO Today, TVO Docs, TVO Learn, TVO ILC and TVOkids, we’re investing in the transformative potential of education for everyone. TVO is a registered charity funded in part by the Province of Ontario and supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. Visit TVO.me for more information. Stream TVO on your favourite device.
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For more information, please contact:
Genevieve Grant, TVO | ggrant@tvo.org