Angela Coldwell
Special to Ontario Construction News
Municipalities have big dreams about the number of homes they will add to their towns and cities. But, where is the ready-to-hire skilled labour pool?
Three years ago, the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) recognized this problem. Their goal was to design a short training program to bridge those interested in joining the residential construction industry with the skills needed for employment. Employers met in a focus group regularly to share what they required on-site. These conversations informed the creation of the Fast Track Job Ready Program.
Early on, it was identified that participants would benefit from wraparound support services. The Career Foundation handles the recruitment and screening of applicants. They also connect each successful candidate with a case manager to meet with weekly.
“The passion I have for this program is like no other as I believe that when a person who has faced a ton of barriers and challenges has somebody believe in them the sky is the limit,” said Rahim Charania, construction program coordinator and pre-employment trainer for OHBA’s Job Ready Program. “This program not only offers hands on training but gives the participants a new outlook on life.
“They receive, guidance, direction, and most of all they have people who believe in them and want to see them succeed. This program is extending the face of construction by demolishing the walls that have been put up in front of these participants.”
This year, in partnership with Skilled Trades College of Canada (STCC), Job Ready is offering a new four-week hands-on pilot program called Level Up.
Three cohorts of 20 individuals will build tiny homes. Week one focuses on the MoL safety training and certifications, how to measure and use power tools safely, and an understanding of industry terminology. In week two, the tiny homes are framed and plumbing is roughed-in. Installation of wiring, electrical components, and insulation occurs in week three. Drywall installation, mudding, taping, and finishing occurs in the last week.
Having learned a broad range of fundamental skills, graduates are now eager to apply these skills on-site. The interest the instructors inspired was clear as participants proudly presented their structure and explained each step of the construction process at STCC’s Toronto East Campus.
The Job Ready Program is free and is funded through the skills development fund. There is a $1,500 employer incentive offered for each employee hired to complete a three-month trial placement. Currently, there are 159 graduates ready to be interviewed and on-boarded.
For employers, “this is a risk-free way to bring new people into your company where you can guide and mentor them to become valuable contributors to your business,” said Michael Lio, president of buildABILITY.
This year the program will graduate 170 individuals – 110 in the fast track stream and 60 in Level Up. By next March, about 500 people across the province will have graduated from the program and found placements over the past three years.
Sajida Jiwani, COO of OHBA attributes the success of the program, “to the invaluable support provided by our members. It is our members who play a pivotal role in selecting program participants and guiding and mentoring them on their path within the residential construction industry.”
Good housing is key ingredient needed for a successful and stable life. Job Ready training can be a life changing opportunity for both the participants and the companies where they will work. As Lio put it, “people who weren’t part of the industry before are now working, productive, and it has given them a real future.” It is a path towards a meaningful career and a living wage.
To learn more about the program go to www.ohbajobready.ca.
To discuss hiring opportunities contact Michael Lio (michael@buildability.ca) or Sajida Jiwani (sjiwani@ohba.ca).
Angela Coldwell is the founder of Honour the Work.