Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government continued a series of announcements supporting skilled trades training – this time at Sheridan College in Brampton with $559,837 to provide hands-on experiences for students enrolled in pre-apprenticeship programs.
The general machinist and industrial mechanic millwright pre-apprenticeship programs at the college’s Davis campus will help prepare 50 people for jobs and careers in the skilled trades.
“Over the next five years, one in five jobs created will be in the skilled trades. We need more skilled workers to help us build the roads, transit, and infrastructure we need, both now and in the future. Young people in Brampton need to know that these are in-demand, well-paying careers, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Premier Doug Ford.
The funding for the Brampton campus is part of the Province’s investment of $20.8 million in Ontario’s Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program. Annual spending on the program is being increased by $2.5 million for 2020, creating an additional 200 placements in the program.
The funding announcement follows the unveiling of Ontario’s new marketing campaign highlighting the skilled trades as a viable career path. The ads, with the slogan ‘Find a Career You Wouldn’t Trade,’ are currently running online, in movie theatres and on Tim Hortons TV.
“I hear from small businesses across the province of the need for skilled tradespeople to operate and grow their business,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. “As our government builds the environment for job and economic growth, the skilled trades continue to be in high demand and a great career choice in Brampton and throughout Ontario. With this announcement, we’re preparing our young people for the jobs of tomorrow, today.”
Thousands of quality jobs across the province are going unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers, said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
“Those are paycheques waiting to be collected. But the workers aren’t there. Our mission is to bridge that skills gap in Brampton and beyond. (The) announcement at Sheridan, training two in-demand trades like machinist and millwright, is the next step.”
Colleges in Ontario play a significant role in preparing students for careers in skilled trades, according to Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities.
“With 81 per cent of apprenticeship training and skilled trades education being completed in our classrooms, programs like the General Machinist and Industrial Mechanic Millwright programs at Sheridan are helping to address local labour market needs while setting students up for success in their careers.”
Pre-apprenticeship training promotes careers in the trades as an option for all Ontario residents, including youth at risk, new Canadians, women and Indigenous people. The training programs are free, last up to one year and often combine classroom training with an 8-12 week work placement.
Some quick facts about the programs:
- Pre-apprenticeship training programs are publicly funded, last up to one year, and often combine classroom training with an 8-12 week work placement. To find out about programs in your area, contact Employment Ontario by phone, e-mail or live chat
- Ontario’s colleges train over 80 per cent of the province’s apprentices
- Retirements in the skilled trades are creating a shortage of skilled workers. In 2016, nearly one in three journey-persons were aged 55 years and over
- Ontario also recently announced $12.7 million in funding for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, aimed at encouraging more high school students to consider the skilled trades as a viable career.