Thursday, May 6, 2021

Promoting Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship Essential For the Health of Ontario’s Construction Industry

The Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act a positive step forward for the future of the province's skilled trades

Cambridge, ON—CLAC is pleased with the introduction of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act by Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training, and skills development. The act lays out essential elements of the government’s plans to promote the skilled trades as a viable career option.

“We are pleased that the panel’s recommendations align with CLAC’s submissions for the improvement of the apprenticeship and skilled trades system in Ontario,” says Colin deRaaf, CLAC Training Ontario director.

Today’s announcement comes following extensive work by the Skilled Trades Panel, which after extensive stakeholder engagement recommended a replacement model for the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT). Those recommendations are reflected in the bill.

CLAC participated in the consultation and provided recommendations focussed on improvements in apprenticeship registration, enforcement, scopes of practice, apprenticeship sponsorship models, and safety-focussed supports for apprentices, all of which are captured in the bill. CLAC consistently opposed any efforts to reduce or compartmentalize skills sets within the scopes of practice of the trades.

The proposed legislation includes the creation of a new crown agency called Skilled Trades Ontario, which aims to provide a more agile and responsive public-facing successor to the current system.

“Maintaining certain elements of OCOT was important for our members in the construction industry,” says deRaaf. “We are pleased with the panel’s recommendation to maintain a public registry of compulsory trades, trade equivalency assessments, and an improved digital service delivery model.

“CLAC is especially pleased that today’s announcement confirms the province’s commitment to supporting current and future learners in the trades. Valuing apprentices’ on-the-job and in-class learning experiences as postsecondary education and the early selection of a safe career pathway in the skilled trades will be incentives to young people who are considering the best option for their future.”

CLAC will support the bill as it moves through the legislative process. It will also engage with the Skilled Trades Panel as it moves into Phase 2 of its effort, which will acutely focus on the skilled trades learning experience and how best to address technological trends and shifts in how those in the skilled trades do their work.

Promoting Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship Essential For the Health of Ontario’s Construction Industry

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