CLAC supervisor training program receives $1M from province
Thanks to $1 million in funding from the provincial government, the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) will offer leadership training to construction workers across the province.
Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton announced the funding on July 7.
“Construction workers build the homes our families live in, the schools where we learn, and the hospitals and health care centres that care for us,” he said. “Building the next generation of leaders in this industry, those who will be crucial to moving important projects forward, is essential to our communities and the strength of our economy. This project will offer workers high-quality training, on their own schedule and from anywhere in our province, so they can advance in their careers and earn more.”
CLAC will use the money to create a virtual training initiative called the Supervisor Micro-Certification Program. The program will offer training modules in topics such as health and safety compliance, coaching and mentoring, negotiation, performance evaluation and scheduling. The program initially has capacity for 300 workers, and is designed to help them along their careers to assume leadership roles such as site supervisors, lead hands and superintendents.
“CLAC is thrilled with this funding announcement and looks forward to working with employer partners, the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA), and other industry leaders to develop a leadership program that meets the needs of the modern and mobile learner,” said Colin de Raaf, Ontario Training Director for CLAC. “CLAC’s Supervisor Micro-Certification Program will equip current and future on-site leaders with the skills to manage, mentor and coach apprentices and new entrants to construction, in what is a rapidly evolving work environment.”
The Supervisor Micro-Certification Program will run from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Over time, CLAC will expand course offerings so that emerging supervisors can gain additional support and information.
Funding comes as part of the government’s $115 million Skills Development Fund to address challenges to hiring, training and retraining workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and is part of the province’s 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.
For more information on the virtual training project and how to apply, contact Colin de Raaf, CLAC Director of Training at (519) 653-3002 x 5565 or cderaaf@clac.ca.