Ontario introducing new tools to bring more youth into the skilled trades
The Ontario government is introducing new measures that are designed to attract more young people to the skilled trades, including adding a new apprenticeship pathway and an online job matching platform.
“We’re helping to tackle the labour shortage by allowing motivated, entrepreneurial students to get on a fast-track to a career in the skilled trades,” said Labour Minister David Piccini. “To get there, we’re opening pathways into the skilled trades today for the workers of tomorrow by making it easier for Ontarians to find apprenticeship opportunities through a new online job-matching portal, and reducing barriers for more workers to get a second chance at a better job with a bigger paycheque.”
Building on the success of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, the province is creating a new stream, called Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training, that will allow students in Grades 11 and 12 to participate in more apprenticeship learning through additional co-operative education credits while completing high school.
Graduates would receive a new seal on their Ontario Secondary School Diploma to signify their successful completion of the program and recognize them for their dedication to learning in the skilled trades.
“We are proud to announce the new Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training program that will now allow students to take up to 80 percent of their senior courses in co-op education,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “This will accelerate entrance into the skilled trades, supported by the mandatory requirement for all students to take at least one technological education course starting this September.”
The province also wants to make it easier to find apprenticeship opportunities by launching a new online job-matching portal for potential apprentices, journeypersons and employers to network and share opportunities. No such province-wide system currently exists.
A government-housed platform, developed in partnership with the private sector, would help streamline the process for potential apprentices to find interested sponsors, register and begin their training.
The province is also proposing legislative measures to reduce barriers to apprenticeship training for workers who have prior professional experience, but cannot meet certain academic entry requirements to register as an apprentice.
This policy would create alternative pathways for people interested in the skilled trades as a second career if they meet alternative criteria that may include minimum years out of high school and history of prior work experiences.
"These targeted supports will break down barriers and pave the way for more people to discover rewarding and in-demand careers in Ontario’s more than 140 skilled trades,” said Melissa Young, CEO and Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario. “Skilled Trades Ontario looks forward to our continued partnership with the Ministry to ensure Ontarians have the tools they need to build a thriving future."
Currently, 1.3 million people are working in skilled trades-related occupations in Ontario.
At least one in three workers in Ontario with an apprenticeship certificate as their highest credential is nearing retirement.