A coalition of Ontario construction associations has launched a 50-part video series that aims to show parents, students, teachers and guidance counsellors the breadth of opportunities offered to young people by careers in the skilled trades.

Each video lasts no longer than two minutes, and is a one-on-one profile interview with a young person involved in his or her trade. The workers explain their crafts, and speak enthusiastically about how they find their work rewarding and meaningful.

It’s a series that Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON)—itself a member of the Job Talks Construction coalition—says should be on display in the offices of every guidance counsellor in Ontario.

"There should be a monitor so that young people can watch dozens of fantastic two-minute video profiles of people telling their stories about their construction careers on the Job Talks website," says Lyall. "We need to get the message out that there are thousands of well-paid, rewarding jobs that will be available for young Ontarians in the coming decade."

That Ontario is facing a shortage of skilled trades workers is no secret. Last year’s labour market forecast from BuildForce Canada indicated that Ontario will need to recruit nearly 104,000 new works to meet rising demand and to replace retirees. The Job Talks Construction video series in part aims to show the breadth of careers on offer in the industry, and in part the satisfaction people in the skilled trades have for their work.

"Our profiles feature young people who embrace construction for its highly satisfying careers and enjoy the challenges of problem-solving on the spot,” says Job Talks executive director Jon Callegher. “I think our coalition has done an excellent job of conveying a new image of working in construction: a future of possibilities that are bright, exciting, secure and fulfilling."

Trades profiled in the video series include: stone mason, tile setter, insulation installer, welder, civil technician, HVAC technician, project manager, health & safety manager, drilling superintendent, carpet installer, bricklayer—and many more.

Also involve in the Job Talks coalition are the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO), the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto, the Toronto Area Road Builders Association, the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association, the Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance, the Ontario Residential Council of Construction Associations, and the Ontario Construction Careers Alliance.

"This was truly a collaborative industry effort," says RCCAO executive director Andy Manahan. "It's important that youth become informed about the exciting prospects in Ontario's construction sector and that the trades become a top consideration in their career choices."