Let’s Make it Right for Youth Opportunities In The Trades and Apprenticeship Programs

I’ve been involved with Skills Canada for over 15 years, supporting and encouraging the next generation of skilled trades and technology professionals.

Let’s start 2021 off right by investing in the next generation of skilled trades and technology professionals. 2020 was a year like no other, and I'm sure we are very happy to see the back of it. But this past year challenged us like never before, and we are spending a lot more time in our homes. For some, this has led us to reevaluate our homes. 

Do we need more space? Should we convert that bedroom or half-finished basement into a home office or home school area? Not surprisingly, Stats Canada found that the total value of building permits issued in September rose 17% to $9.4 billion, 7% of that represented building permits in Ontario, that's just over $6 billion – that's a lot of renovations!

I have heard from several of my Holmes Approved Home builders that they have been getting a lot of inquiries about renovations.

This demand isn't going to wane. Canada's population will continue to grow, and the stress on our cities' infrastructures will continue to increase. We will need a robust skilled workforce to maintain and build but statistics show that Canada will face a massive shortage in the next decade's skilled trades workforce. 

For example, Ontario will need more than 26,000 additional skilled trade workers over the next eight years. So it's essential that as the current generation of tradespeople starts to retire, we have new blood passionate to take the reins.

How can we, as industry leaders, business owners, educators, and parents, ensure that we have a strong, skilled trade workforce? By investing in our youth and young adults.

Now, I know not everyone has the interest to pursue a career in a skilled trades or technology sector. Still, young people need to understand that this sector provides a diverse array of available options - good options that are just as valuable and important as being a doctor or a lawyer. A career in the skilled trades provides a challenging job with financial stability, flexibility, and creativity.

As parents and educators, we need to find ways to expose our youth at a young age to the many career opportunities available. We need to change the public perception that a career in the skilled trades is a second rate job, that you don't have to be smart or educated – this stigma has been around for too long, and it has to change. 

Check out a recent Skills Canada Trade & Technology Chat that included Michael, Sherry and some of my Holmes Approved Homes builder partners, Sue Wastell and Bob Deeks:

Skills Canada

Skills Canada is one organization that has taken on this challenge by hosting skills competitions across the country, making presentations in schools, offering Try-A-Trade and Technology activities, profiling industry superstars, and more. With these activities, we can challenge students to think outside the box and ignite their passion.

The Ontario Government recently announced they would be investing $43 million to expand youth training programs, expose young people to more employment options and appoint three industry leaders to advise attracting youth to the trades.

The investment will support organizations like Skills Ontario, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), and the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program. There are 144 Skilled Trades in Ontario. The Pre-Apprenticeship Programs promote careers in the skilled trades for all Ontario residents, including youth at risk, new Canadians, women, and Indigenous people.

We need to encourage business and industry leaders to invest in their new employees by taking advantage of hiring apprentices through government apprenticeship programs.  

I believe businesses benefit from investing in apprentices and that apprentices give employers a real advantage in today's labour market. I know over the years, I've hired apprentices, and they excelled and developed personally and contributed to the growth and success of my company.

Hiring apprentices provides the opportunity to pass on the knowledge to the next generation like I've been able to do with my kids, Michael and Sherry. And, they in turn continue to inspire the next generation of youth. 

Michael and Sherry at Try-A-Trade, Skills Canada National Competition 2017

Granted, they had a head start because they had a contractor dad, but I couldn't be more proud to have had the opportunity to work with them and teach them all I know and to watch them grow to become skilled tradespeople. Many of my colleagues and Holmes Approved Homes building partners across Canada have taken advantage of their provincial apprenticeship programs with great success. 

By investing in your employees through training and educational programs, you will increase your company's productivity and reduce staff turnover. By investing in your team, you attract new talent, and this new talent brings a wealth of knowledge that includes advancements in technology and techniques. 

I encourage businesses and industry leaders to take advantage of the financial benefits offered by these government programs.

It's a win-win situation, your company will benefit by providing an exciting and challenging work environment, and your employees will become confident and loyal employees.

Passion. I often talk about the importance of passion. I love what I do, and I'm passionate about what I do. If you don't love what you do, you will never be happy. We need to recognize passion in our young people and provide them with the support and encouragement they need to succeed. 

Together we need to support and inspire the youth of today. 

With technological advancements in learning, national and provincial recognized programs, and financial support through apprenticeships, there are even more opportunities for our youth to excel. Young people who have a passion for the skilled trades need our help, so we have a robust, skilled workforce for today and the future. Together, let's make it right for youth opportunities and apprenticeship programs.

#EndSkilledTradesStigma-Read my son's article about the stigma in the skilled trades.