Ontario Construction News staff writer
Last week marked National Skilled Trades and Technology Week, designed to promote and encourage the exploration of career opportunities in the skilled trades and technologies.
“Professionals in the skilled trades and technologies are in high demand and will continue to be,” Skills Ontario CEO Ian Howcroft said in a statement. “It’s incredibly important to not only demonstrate this to our province’s youth, but also to give them the tools to explore and pursue these rewarding careers. There are great and rewarding opportunities in these career fields, and recognizing and celebrating National Skilled Trades and Technology Week is one of the many essential ways to support our province’s future.”
Last week, Skills Ontario hosted Cardboard Boat Races, which allowed elementary and high school students to develop their design, construction, and teamwork skills as they build and race boats out of cardboard and duct tape.
Later this month, Skills Ontario is hosting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Trades & Tech Days and Young Women’s Career Exploration Events, which give young audiences the opportunity to learn more about their career paths in the skilled trades and technologies through a tailored and experiential approach.
In the statement, Skills Ontario said it “applauds the Government of Ontario’s emphasis on skilled trade career promotion. As Minister of Finance Rod Phillips stated in the Nov. 6 Financial Economic Statement, one in five new jobs in Ontario over the next five years is expected to be in the trades.”
“Skills Ontario has long been calling for more skilled trade and tech programs in schools, and it is a pleasure to see the government taking action on increased funding of Ontario’s Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program,” the organization said in its statement.
Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, recently announced an investment to support the expansion of the SHSM program to include an additional 122 new programs related to 19 different sectors aimed at encouraging more high school students to enter the skilled trades. As stated in the news release from the Government of Ontario: “This high-demand program now lets more students have greater choice in selecting a career path that matches their skills and interests, while also meeting the requirements of their high school diploma.”
“Skills Ontario is proud to celebrate National Skilled Trades and Technology Week and will continue to work with government and industry partners to allow youth to recognize their potential in these lucrative careers,” the statement said.
Image caption: Skills Canada cardboard boat racers in Sault Ste. Marie