Angela Coldwell
Special to Ontario Construction News
Industry insiders have known for years that a skilled trades shortage was looming. The pandemic resulted in a re-examination of which careers are essential. It also showcased which professions couldn’t be outsourced, replaced by automation, and will be in high demand for the coming decades. We now have a unique opportunity to address the decades old stigmas associated with working in the skilled trades while re-introducing these fulfilling careers to those outside the industry.
Depending on where you live in Canada, many junior high and high school students are learning about these personally, professionally, and financially rewarding careers for the first time. Increased industry and government funding is allowing for more free hands-on kits, classroom speakers, and skilled trades career fairs to reach youth, and perhaps more importantly, their parents.
But, beginning these conversations at junior high is missing our youngest learners.
Research supports that gender biases are present by kindergarten. Student career decisions are being formed in elementary school. Experts argue that exposure to our rapidly changing world of work should start early. This is not to guide students towards a specific path. It is to give students the opportunity to inform and shape their career pathways and aspirations over time in order to find the best match for their interests and how they learn.
The skilled trades are a natural fit for the learning style of our preschool, kindergarten, and elementary students. As parents we watch our children stack blocks, build sandcastles, and construct snow forts. In the kitchen they help us prepare food. In the garden they plant seeds and water plants. Children learn by doing and are natural problem solvers. Outside of these formative years, when are kids surrounded by more books, toys, costumes, characters, and activities who can inspire who they will become
We also know that not all children thrive in a traditional classroom. These are very clever students. But, their learning style isn’t a good match for long periods of desk work. This can result in behavioural issues, disengagement, a decrease in self-worth, and feeling a lack of belonging.
So what if we had new elementary resources to inspire our students to connect with who they are, how they learn, and what they love? What if elementary educators and industry partners informed the design process so that we can meaningfully bridge the school to work transition beginning in elementary school?
Honour The Work is creating free STEAMS resources for release later this year. These multidisciplinary science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics and skills resources will provide lesson plans, hands-on activities, and engaging case studies to support the Ontario elementary curriculum while showcasing diverse skilled trades careers and innovation. We are partnering with subcontractors to hold our first event so that elementary teachers can gain experience working with basic hand tools and meet local trades professionals. Connection is key to bringing the real world into the classroom.
Recent years have seen an explosion of beautiful and engaging skilled trades picture books. However, most are unavailable at local bookstores and are therefore missed. Since Canada is going to require millions of skilled trades workers in the coming decades, a sustainable pipeline of talent means talking about becoming a carpenter, millwright, mason, electrician, and glazier as frequently and with as much enthusiasm as we talk about veterinarians, doctors, and accountants. Picture books are a natural way to introduce this to our young learners and their parents. The artwork, humour, science, and teamwork allows readers to see how their skills and knowledge can be creatively applied in real work while also teaching the importance of resilience.
The lack of people in the skilled trades presents a unique challenge and opportunity. We need parents, educators, and industry to rethink what a “good job” looks like and expand the definition of STEAM professions.
Top picks from our elementary teacher partners (for more books visit HonourTheWork.ca):
- Who Do I Want To Become? by Rumeet Billan
- Someone Builds The Dream by Lisa Wheeler
- Let’s Go To The Hardware Store by Anne Rockwell
- The House That She Built by Mollie Elkman
- Future Plans for Kids – Skilled Trades by Stephanie Audrey
- How It’s Built – Skyscraper by Vicky Franchino
- How It’s Built – House by Becky Herrick
- Building Our House by Jonathan Bean
- Panda The Project Manager Builds Her First Home by Amanda Jewell
- The Water Came To A Stop by Ryan Kiscaden
- Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
- Mighty Mighty Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
- Three Cheers for Kid McGear by Sherri Duskey Rinker
- The Ultimate Construction Site Book by Anne-Sophie Baumann
- The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Angela Coldwell is the Founder of Honour the Work, a registered non-profit that shines a spotlight on Canadian resources, programs, and people who can inspire the next generation to pursue the skilled trades.