Canada needs more skilled trades workers
Events will be held across the country to motivate people to try their hand at being a skilled tradesperson.
Canada is in need of more skilled workers. Demographic shifts and a growing number of retirees are driving demand and creating a need to recruit and train thousands upon thousands of Canadians in skilled trades that can be promising and rewarding careers.
In Ontario, for example, the construction industry is the second fastest growing industry in the province. From 2019 to 2022, it grew by 9.2%. This industry accounts for a significant portion of jobs in the country. In Ottawa, however, there are several occupations whose holders have good job prospects in the next year or two. These include:
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cabinetmakers;
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carpenters;
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cooks;
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industrial mechanics (milling operators);
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tower crane operators;
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Class A gas pipefitters;
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Class B gas pipefitters;
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Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics;
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heavy equipment maintenance technicians;
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industrial electricians;
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landscape gardeners.
This week, Workforce Development Minister Randy Boissonnault announced the launch of a new awareness campaign designed to highlight the value of careers in skilled trades. Experiential marketing events will be held across Canada. They will be held in Ottawa, Montreal, Fredericton, St. John's, Toronto and Vancouver.
At these interactive exhibitions, people can learn about different professions, find in-demand occupations in their province or territory and find out what they need to do to become a qualified professional. The aim of the events is to create a personal and immersive experience for those who attend. This weekend, the first one will be held in Ottawa at Lansdowne Park.
This campaign supports the Government of Canada's efforts under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, which supports a skilled, inclusive, certified and productive workforce. As part of this strategy, the government invests approximately CAD 1 billion each year in grants, loans, tax credits, employment insurance benefits while in apprenticeship, projects and support for the Red Seal program, which sets uniform standards for assessing the skills of professional workers across Canada.
