OTTAWA, 21 August 2026 – The Ottawa Community Housing Foundation (OCH Foundation) will celebrate the graduation of Cohorts 3 and 4 of Build Your Path on Friday, August 21 at 1:30pm at Algonquin College. This marks the completion of the program’s first full year of delivering construction training and employment pathways to residents living in Ottawa Community Housing.
Launched in April 2026 with support from the Future Skills Centre through the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program, Build Your Path provides participants with eight weeks of in-class and hands-on construction training, industry-recognized certifications and employment-focused supports designed to help them pursue careers in the skilled trades.
This ceremony follows the graduation of Cohorts 1 and 2 on 26 June and marks the completion of all four cohorts delivered during the program’s first year. Across the four cohorts, 32 residents living in Ottawa Community Housing have participated in the program.
Algonquin College, La Cité and Xpertek Construction have been a key training partner in delivering the program’s hands-on component, providing participants with practical experience in a supportive college training environment. Training has included drywall and mudding, flooring installation, masonry and other essential construction skills, alongside certifications such as Working at Heights, First Aid and WHMIS.
What: Graduation ceremony for the OCH Foundation’s Build Your Path program
Who: OCH Foundation, OCH Corporation, program funders and community partners
Where: Room CA105, ACCE Building, Algonquin College, 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa
When: August 21st, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
“We started Build Your Path because again and again, residents told us about the challenges they were facing when it came to finding employment. Build Your Path was built around a simple idea: everyone deserves the chance to pursue their goals and create the future they want for themselves and their families. Today, as I evaluate this program’s impact, I see people who chose to invest in themselves. People who showed up, learned new skills, asked questions, overcame challenges, and kept moving forward.” – Traci Spour-Lafrance (she/her), Executive Director, OCH Foundation
Build Your Path is an 8-week employment-training program for tenants living in Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) who are interested in pursuing a career in construction. The program connects participants to real job opportunities in Ottawa’s construction industry.
The program combines classroom learning, hands-on construction training, industry-recognized certifications and wraparound supports, including a living allowance, food and travel stipends, a toolkit, financial literacy training and barrier supports. Graduates can also access up to one year of mentorship and career coaching following program completion.
The program is delivered by the OCH Foundation in partnership with Algonquin College and La Cité, and follows Construct Canada, an evidence-informed model developed by Blue Door Support Services, and funded by the Future Skills Centre through the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Program.
The OCH Foundation is a registered charity and the charitable partner of the Ottawa Community Housing Corporation. The OCH Foundation exclusively serves people living in Ottawa Community Housing and connects them with programs and services that foster education, employment, community engagement and overall well-being. Since 2012, the Foundation has mobilized donors, volunteers and partners to remove barriers and create meaningful opportunities for the 33,000+ people who call OCH home.
Ottawa Community Housing is Ottawa’s largest social housing provider. OCH is home to over 33,000 residents across Ottawa. Serving seniors, families, individuals, and people with disabilities, OCH is home to a diverse and vibrant population representing a wide range of cultures, languages, and lived experiences. OCH is committed to fostering inclusive communities where tenants feel supported, connected and empowered. As the steward of two-thirds of Ottawa’s community housing portfolio, OCH plays a critical role in addressing the city’s housing needs while creating spaces where communities can thrive. To learn more visit och-lco.ca
Taha Tariq (he/him), Acting Program Manager, Build Your Path, OCH Foundation
taha.tariq@ochfoundation.ca | 613-709-5131
Traci Spour-Lafrance (she/her), Executive Director, OCH Foundation
traci.spour-lafrance@ochfoundation.ca | 343-997-6400
