SKILLED TRADES AND ONTARIO'S ECONOMY: GIVE THEM THE TOOLS AND THEY'LL FINISH THE JOB!

The Government of Ontario intends to spend some $90 million over three years to promote careers in the skilled trades, in sectors such as construction and industry. Now, on the face of it, you might ask, "What's to promote? Everyone knows that skilled trades work is in high demand and pays well."

That's as may be, but there's a problem, and it relates to the perceived value of a career in the skilled trades versus, say, a four-year university degree program. This has led to what many observers call a "supply-demand mismatch" reflected in the career paths chosen by young people. As a result, according to a survey of its members by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, highly-educated young men and women are winding up in fields for which they are overqualified - while squeezing many less qualified folks out of the job market entirely.

How has this imbalance impacted the skilled trades? A couple of examples, as reported by the online publication Real Estate Wealth in June of last year: Through to 2030, Ontario will need close to 1,400 certified bricklayers, but expects that only 550 or so will complete their training. Roughly the same ratios also apply to welders, boilermakers, and a variety of other specialties.

Back to the perception problem: According to HRReporter, a recent 3M Canada survey found that while 96 per cent of Canadians agree that the country's workforce needs more skilled trades workers, 76 per cent said they would never pursue a skilled trade for themselves.

Why is this a big deal? Well, the Building Industry and Land Development (BILD) Association estimated in a March 2022 report that the GTHA needs 30 per cent more housing units to meet demand (and to confront the unaffordability of housing across the region). It also noted that the construction industry to create that supply contributes some $60 billion to the area's economy. And while the report's focus was on things like cumbersome approvals processes, taxes, fees and the like, it goes without saying that dealing with those obstacles will only get us so far without enough skilled men and women to build the needed supply in the first place.

The Ford Government deserves credit for dealing with this challenge on a variety of fronts. But Queen's Park can't do it alone. It's up to all Ontarians who value a strong economy - and rewarding jobs for our sons and daughters - to start thinking differently about the skilled trades: as the lucrative and high-demand career choice of the future.

Heck, never mind the future. How about right now?