Skilled Trades Survey - Classic Fire + Life Safety

MEASURING UP THE TRADES 2025Classic's second annual Leger survey highlights opportunity to raise awareness of sprinkler fitters and fire alarm technicians in the Skilled Trades Conversation

Skilled trades 2025 survey

"This annual survey is important for our business," says Mike Farren, CEO of Classic. "Staying on top of perceptions and trends in the skilled trades helps us to better promote the industry, highlight the benefits of a career in fire safety and attract new talent to join our teams across Canada."

A follow-up Leger survey commissioned by Classic Fire + Life Safety finds Canadians believe there are more options today in skilled trades opportunities, but many remain unfamiliar with certain essential fire protection roles, such as sprinkler fitters and fire alarm technicians.

The Measuring Up The Trades study, conducted this summer, builds on the company's inaugural 2024 survey and takes a deeper look at Canadians' knowledge and perceptions of skilled trades, and specifically fire protection.

While most Canadians view fire alarm technicians and sprinkler fitters positively, only three in 10 (30%) are familiar with fire alarm technicians as a career option, and just over one in five (22%) are familiar with sprinkler fitters. Even more troubling, the national survey reveals that only 11% of respondents say they would know where to start if pursuing a career in either field.

"We want to help Canadians become familiar with the Fire Protection industry and the careers available at Classic Fire + Life Safety," says Lucy Machado, recently appointed VP of Human Resources. "This survey highlights some of the very real challenges we face, but we remain committed to raising awareness and working to ensure fire protection careers are recognized as a valued skilled trade with high pay, job security, and pride in the work we do to protect Canadians."

Now in its second year, the national survey revealed signs of progress for skilled trades as a whole. When asked why they did not consider a career in a skilled trade, fewer respondents cited a lack of encouragement from parents and teachers (13 per cent in 2025 vs 16 per cent in 2024). When asked why they considered a career in skilled trades, more respondents indicated an appreciation for job security (38% vs 29%), and overall, more Canadians have strongly considered a career in the skilled trades (18% in 2025 compared to 15% in 2024).

"We hear a lot about in-demand skilled trades across Canada - cooks, hairstylist, welders, industrial electricians, carpenters, plumbers - but rarely see our industry listed," said Stanley Owah, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Classic Fire +Life Safety. "Raising awareness is not only key to our success as a business, it's key to our end goal of protecting lives and property."

The company is increasing outreach efforts, strengthening ties with secondary and post-secondary institutions, and working with governments and not-for-profit organizations to raise awareness for fire safety careers. Classic Fire + Life Safety has participated in several career fairs at schools including Seneca College and Fanshawe College and runs internship, co-op programs and training partnerships with several partners.

More than half (52%) say they think more highly of the trades now that they did a few years ago. While 76% of respondents believe there are more skilled trade opportunities than before, this is a slight decrease from 80% in 2024. Similarly to the 78% surveyed in 2024, 76% of Canadians would encourage their children or others to consider a career in the trades.

When asked about benefits of a career in skilled trades, 50% cited the appeal of hands-on work, 48% said trades offer strong earning potential 38% pointed to job security, and 26% said trades provide good opportunities to start a small business. Job security and hands-on-work saw an increase 9-percentage points, and 6-percentage points respectively, compared to 2024.

It’s exciting to see perceptions of the skilled trades shifting. However, so many rewarding careers remain hidden in plain sight including those in the fire protection industry. These essential, in-demand paths deserve to be seen, valued, and celebrated. It is essential to reach students, parents, educators and guidance counsellors with vital data like this. Each is trying to best navigate the post secondary landscape and make informed career decisions. However, all are limited by a lack of readily accessible and digestible workforce data. A future in the skilled trades is bright and data like this is illuminating for both youth and adults.

Angela Coldwell - Founder of Honour The Work

Methodology

Commissioned by Classic Fire + Life Safety, the Leger survey was conducted online between August 8-11, 2025, with a sample size of 1,508 Canadians, 18 years or older, using Leger's online panel. Leger's online panel has approximately 400,000 members nationally and has a retention rate of 90 per cent. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

READ THE FuLL 2025 REPORT

Classic Fire + Life Safety wishes to thank those like-minded companies and organizations who helped with this survey.