Email Us: support@futuresfaster.ca
Ready to fast forward your career?  Get Started Now
Linkedin Icon Big

Help Shape the Workforce That Builds Ontario

Your Experience. Real Impact.

The OHBA Futures Faster program is your opportunity to strengthen Ontario’s residential construction workforce by opening doors for our sector to thrive.

You'll be connected with someone who’s eager to grow in the field and be given the tools to support them. You’ll help guide their next steps, point them toward training that fits the demands of the job, and offer insight that only comes from doing the work.

Develop your own skills while supporting a mentee’s growth so you can both contribute to a stronger residential construction workforce in Ontario.

What You’ll Gain as a Mentor

Mentoring through OHBA Futures Faster is a smart way to grow your professional profile, strengthen your leadership skills, and help shape the future of Ontario’s residential construction industry.

You'll develop coaching and communications skills, gain exposure across the sector, and contribute to a more skilled, resilient workforce. You’ll also receive up to $1,000 in funded professional development and a wage subsidy of up to $1,500 for your employer.

Share what you’ve learned. Expand your impact. Take the next step in your career.

Who Can Be a Mentor

OHBA Futures Faster mentors are experienced professionals working in Ontario’s residential construction industry. You understand what it takes to succeed on the job and want to support someone who’s just starting out or ready to grow.

Consider becoming a mentor if you are:

An experienced professional in or serving the residential construction industry in Ontario
Currently working in the industry or connected to it
Ready to support someone’s next step in their construction career while strengthening your leadership skills
Interested in taking micro-credential courses to upskill for the next step in your own career journey

Spots are limited to 50 mentors and 50 mentees, and applications close December 1, 2025. If you're ready, now’s the time.

Want to Be a Mentor? Express Your Interest Today

OHBA Futures Faster gives you the tools to lead with impact. As a mentor, you’ll support someone who’s ready to grow in Ontario’s residential construction industry while expanding your own skills and legacy along the way.
Become a Mentor

Why Mentor?

Your experience matters, and this program puts it to work in a way that benefits you, your company, and the industry.

As a mentor, you’ll be matched with someone who’s building their career in residential construction. You’ll help them navigate the job, choose the right training, and excel in their career. And in return, you’ll gain access to leadership development opportunities and funding that supports you.

Top 6 Reasons to Become a Mentor

Everything you need to know about the product and billing.

Funded professional development

Access up to $1,000 for targeted micro-credential courses focused on industry skills, professional development, or digital skills.

Wage support for your employer

A wage subsidy of up to $1,500 helps your company support your time in the program.

Learn valuable skills

Mentors must attend at least one of our exclusive fireside chats to learn about important topics like Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), accessibility, and decolonization in the built environment. Of course, we encourage you to attend as many as you like.

Demonstrate your readiness for promotion

Showcase to your employer that you are ready and willing to take on more responsibility by participating in the Futures Faster mentorship program.

Recognition and visibility across the sector

Your role supports a stronger workforce for Ontario and helps raise the profile of your work and your company.

Pride in shaping what comes next

This is an opportunity to pass on your experience, support the next generation, and know you’re building something that lasts.

Meet Us In Person

Want to learn more? Connect with the OHBA Futures Faster team at these upcoming events:

OHBA Conference

September 28–30
(Open to OHBA members and non-members, registration required)

The Buildings Show

December 3-5
(Open to the public—see pricing information and registration details)

Meet Us In Person

Want to learn more? Connect with the OHBA Futures Faster team at these upcoming events:

2025 OHBA Renovators’ Summit - Constructive Change: Innovation in Action

November 14

Open to OHBA members and noon-members, buy tickets

The Buildings Show

December 3-5

Open to the public—see pricing information and registration details

Help us expand our reach!

Suggest an event

Mentor FAQs

Who can become a mentor?
Mentors are professionals based in Ontario with experience in residential construction. If you’ve built a career in the field and want to support someone on their own career path, you’re eligible to apply.
Do I need to be an OHBA member to take part?
No. Mentors and mentees do not need to be OHBA members to participate.
What kind of time commitment is involved?
The program lasts three months, starting when you’re paired with your mentee. There are required meetings that you and your mentee will have along the way, and you will be required to take one micro-credential course. Beyond that, how often you connect during the program is up to you and your mentee.
How are mentors and mentees matched?
It’s not a one-size-fits-all or “apples-to-apples” match. Our pairing process uses an algorithm that considers your values, interests, and goals — not just job titles. This helps create meaningful partnerships that focus on learning, growth, and shared experiences. For example, a builder might be paired with a sustainability specialist, or a designer with a project manager, both learning from each other’s perspectives.
What if my mentee isn’t located in the same city as I am?
Since the program matches mentors and mentees from across Ontario, you may be paired with someone from a different city, and it’s a great opportunity to build meaningful connections beyond your local community. Through virtual meetings and calls, you can easily stay connected with one another throughout the program.
Do I need previous mentoring experience?
No formal experience is required, and mentorship guidance will be provided. If you’ve ever shown someone the ropes or helped a newer colleague find their footing, you’ve already got a great start to what it takes.
Am I expected to give my mentee work experience?
No. You’re not expected to offer paid work or job placements. Your role is to guide, support, and share real-world insights.
What is a micro-credential?
A micro-credential is a short, targeted course focused on helping learners develop a specific, practical, and workforce-ready skill. It provides recognition for mastering a predefined set of skills or competencies.
Micro-credential courses are typically faster to complete than traditional degrees or diplomas, and many can be done online. They’re often developed with input from industry, ensuring the skills being taught align closely with current employer needs.
Do I get to choose my training?
Yes. As a mentor, you’ll be able to choose from our library of micro-credential courses that provide relevant industry skills, professional development, or digital skills to support your own professional growth. Your learning matters too.
What if none of the micro-credential courses offered by the OHBA Futures Faster program cover the skills I need to learn?
The OHBA Futures Faster program provides the flexibility to customize your course selection around your unique learning goals. Through partnerships with leading post-secondary institutions, courses can be added or modified to meet your needs.
What is a fireside chat?
Designed specifically for OHBA Futures Faster program, these facilitated 60-90minute conversations cover important topics like Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), accessibility, and decolonization in the built environment.
Through these fireside chats, mentors gain new perspectives and tools to strengthen their leadership, better support mentees, and foster more inclusive workplaces.
Mentors must attend a minimum of one fireside chat, but we encourage all participants (mentors and mentees) to attend as many as you like.
What if my mentee isn’t a good fit?
Every pairing is based on shared goals and areas of focus. If a match isn’t working, you can contact the program team for support or reassessment.
How will I know what to do as a mentor?
You’ll receive guidance and support from the program team, including onboarding materials to help set expectations. You’ll also have the flexibility to shape your approach based on your own experience.
Will my employer need to be involved?
Yes, your employer will need to approve participation to access the wage subsidy of up to $1,500. The program is designed to fit within regular work hours where possible.
What kind of support do mentors receive?
Mentors get access to:
  • Up to $1,000 in funded training through micro-credential courses of your choosing
  • A wage subsidy of up to $1,500 for eligible employers
  • Support from the OHBA Futures Faster team throughout the program
What happens at the end of the program?
The formal program runs through February 2026. After that, mentors and mentees can decide whether to stay in touch informally. They are not obligated to continue.
I’m not sure I’m qualified to be a mentor. What if I don’t have all the answers?
That’s okay — you don’t have to. The best mentors aren’t perfect experts; they’re people who listen, share their experiences, and cheer on others who are building their careers. Futures Faster mentors guide, support, and encourage mentees as they take on new challenges — not solve every problem. Often, what mentees value most is perspective, encouragement, and knowing someone has walked a similar path.
Do I have to be a builder to take part?
No! The Futures Faster program is designed for professionals across all parts of Ontario’s residential construction industry, including trades, design, project management, sales, sustainability, planning, and more. What matters most is your curiosity, openness to learning, and willingness to grow (and help others grow too).
I’m thinking about joining the program, but I’m not sure if I have the time.
The time commitment is manageable and structured: a minimum of six 30-minute meetings plus one micro-credential course over the 3-month program term. We’ll guide you through every step, including forms, scheduling, and access to learning materials, so you can focus on connecting and growing, not logistics.
What are simple ways I can show support and encouragement for my mentee when I’m short on time?
Showing your support doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as sending a quick “good luck on your test” or check-in message, sharing an article they might find interesting, or acknowledging one of their accomplishments. Small, thoughtful gestures often make a big difference and help cheer on your mentee as they work toward their goals.
How can I remind myself of the experience and perspective I bring to my mentee?
You’ve overcome challenges, made confident decisions, and learned from mistakes. And while that experience may feel ordinary to you, it may be exactly what your mentee needs to grow. Another great exercise is to think about the advice you’d give yourself if you were starting out in the industry again?
What if I give the wrong advice or misguide them?
It’s completely normal to worry about this, but mentorship is less about having all the answers and more about guiding your mentee to grow. Help them learn how to assess situations, think through options, and consider outcomes, so they can make confident decisions that work best for them. These critical-thinking skills are invaluable in every area of life, not just at work.
How much guidance is too much?
A good rule of thumb is: Am I making decisions for my mentee instead of helping them evaluate and make their own choices? The goal of mentorship is to encourage and support your mentee, help them develop problem-solving skills, and offer advice or perspective that empowers them to take initiative, lead, and build confidence.
How can I learn more about the program or see what it’s like?
Nothing replaces a conversation; many of our mentors and mentees signed up after discussions with our awesome team. Email us (support @futuresfaster.com) to book a call, or call us at 416-881-0519. You can also view sample micro-credential courses.
What if I missed out this time?
Sign up for our newsletter and you’ll be among the first to know when we have other opportunities available.

Ready to Mentor Tomorrow’s Leaders?

Recruitment is now open! Participation will be limited to 50 mentors and 50 mentees for this inaugural round of the program.  If you’re interested in being considered, don’t wait—complete the form below to give yourself the best chance!

Program Eligibility Form

Please note: Submitting this eligibility form doesn’t guarantee a spot in the program, and it’s not your official application or enrolment. There will be additional steps you’ll need to complete before being accepted as a participant.

Please note: Submitting this eligibility form doesn’t guarantee a spot in the program, and it’s not your official application or enrolment. There will be additional steps you’ll need to complete before being accepted as a participant.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Stay Connected

To stay up-to-date on the latest program announcements, news, events, and more, sign up for our newsletter!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Privacy Policy
Quick Links
Home
Home
Mentors
Mentors
Mentees
Mentees
Blog
Blog
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy

Created by the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), this mentored upskilling program provides career support to help more Ontarians build strong futures in residential construction.

Linkedin Icon Big
Stay Connected

Call Us Now

416-881-0519
416-881-0519

Email Us

support@futuresfaster.ca
support@futuresfaster.ca

Designed by REES + STAGER

This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.