Ontario to send over 60 skilled trades recruiters into schools to combat worker shortage
The Ontario government announced Wednesday that it intends to hire additional skilled trades recruiters to enter high schools across the province in an effort to stave off a worker shortage in the industry.
Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce gathered in Whitby on Wednesday morning to announce details on an additional $90 million investment in the trades sector.
This new funding will see the expansion of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), which will deploy 63 additional recruiters to teach young people about the skilled trades in more than 800 schools across the province.
The move is an effort to counter a shortage of workers in the skilled trades, which “has been intensified by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Monte said.
The government also announced its intention to commit to an annual advertising campaign promoting skilled trades, host skilled trades job fairs, provide free pre-apprenticeships training for marginalized youth and simplify the existing apprenticeship system.
According to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD), it is estimated that, by 2025, as many as one in five jobs in the province will be in the skilled trades, but the average age of people entering the trades is 29.
At the same time, the ministry estimates that a third of tradespeople are nearing retirement, meaning the province is projected to face a shortfall of 100,000 construction workers over the decade.
“Today, hundreds of thousands of well-paying meaningful jobs in the trades are going unfilled,” Monte said. “These are jobs that do more than put food on people's tables. They offer bigger paychecks in many cases with defined pensions. and benefits and endless opportunities.”
“When you have a job in the skilled trades, you have a job for life,” he said.
These initiatives bring the Ontario government’s total investment in the provincial ‘Skilled Trades Strategy’ to approximately $1.5 billion between 2020 and 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.