Want Action? Talk to the Construction & Trades Association

Most agree that there is a skilled trade shortage in Canada, and the five counties. We may disagree on why it is happening or how extreme this shortage is, but with a few exceptions, we agree that we have a problem.

Some still hide their heads in the sand and suggest that it is an artificial shortage created by business and others blame labour, the education system or governments. Some used to blame the quality of labour market information and strategic planning by community partners for the problem.

Things are changing. The quality of labour market information has improved dramatically over the last few years. Labour market information analysts supported by regional economists & better information from Statistics Canada provides the community with a great picture of our circumstances.

The second thing that has changed is the willingness of all school boards and colleges to work together with employers to address areas of concern. Note the upcoming roundtable discussions specific to the construction & trades programs in schools & colleges where the partners propose to develop a community plan of action & the overwhelming increase in the number of students signing up for courses with possibilities of a career in skilled trades.

So all is not lost. Community partners are stepping up and to make sure that we resolve this shortage. Did you know that trades task forces have been formed across the area? They exist for such trades as mechanic, construction trades, auto body repair, etc.

My focus today is on the building trades. The Seaway Construction & Trades Association & some schools do not spend all their time talking. They use the opportunity to effect change. Commitments that we have confirmed during the last three years:

• Increased willingness to take more Coop/OYAP students
• School boards committed to identification and placement of these students
• Support of the build a house project
• Leadership of the OPTYC annual program
• Support of the Ultimate Skills Challenge
• Willingness to be regular guest speakers to speak about trades in classroom to help guidance counselors in their role.
• Booths at career fairs by their members
• Willingness to offer building materials & tools at cost or lower for training
• Act as teacher advisor and volunteer for courses offered in schools & colleges
• Commitment by principals & teachers to find space for such training centres.

Let’s not all watch. Let’s get involved with them and see whether we can make things happen. There is a lot of goodwill to form partnerships & develop worker replacement programs.

It’s also about time that students get more involved in making things happen for themselves. If you are a student and want to get in to a trade get to administration and keep shaking things up a bit. You have a right to quality information and to an introduction to the jobs of the future and that includes building trades. Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.

Personally, the commitment and willingness to take action on the part of the partners in this type of venture thrills me. Now what we have to do is get more involved and wait and see. I hope to again provide you with an update on these partnerships early this fall.

For more information, please contact the EOTB's Executive Director, Denis Thibault: 613.932.0210 or denist@eotb-cfeo.on.ca