'We are building a robust and diverse skilled trades workforce now for the economy of the future'
The federal government’s series of “experiential marketing events” promoting skilled trades is making a stop in Quebec this week.
An interactive exhibit will be held in Montreal today and tomorrow at the Job and Continuing Education Fair (at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal). Another such event will take place from Oct. 12 to 13 at the National Job Fair (at the Olympic Stadium).
“Skilled trades workers are the backbone of the Canadian economy. With demographic shifts and high retirement rates, Canada needs more skilled trades workers,” says Randy Boissonnault, minister of employment, workforce development and official languages. “These rewarding careers are an integral part of several industries across the country. Our government continues to raise awareness about the great careers available to young Canadians in trades. We are building a robust and diverse skilled trades workforce now for the economy of the future.”
Ottawa announced the awareness campaign for skilled trades last month, with the first stop in Ottawa.
Under the campaign, individuals can learn about different skilled trades careers, find in-demand trades in their province or territory and discover the steps it takes to become a skilled trades worker. The exhibit focuses on creating an in-person and immersive experience and directs participants to a repository of information about what the skilled trades are, how to get started, and which trades are the most in demand.
Ottawa collaborates with Skills Canada to promote the skilled trades.
“Events like these help Canadian youth learn more about the important and rewarding careers that exist in the skilled trades and technologies,” says Shaun Thorson, CEO, Skills Canada. “To highlight these careers, Skills Canada hosts activities, like our annual skills competition, that provide experiential learning through hands-on challenges in more than 40 skilled trade and technology occupations. Join us at the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition, in Québec, where we are #CreatingPossibilities for our future skilled workforce while strengthening our global economy.”
Trades with ‘attractive employment outlooks’
In Quebec, the construction industry makes up 38 per cent of employment in Red Seal trade-related occupations. In the Montréal area, several Red Seal trades across sectors have “attractive employment outlooks for the 2022–24 period,” says Ottawa. These include:
- automotive service technician, truck and transport mechanic
- baker
- concrete finisher
- industrial mechanic (millwright)
- cook
- tower crane operator
- electrician
- floor covering installer
- hairstylist
- refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- heavy equipment operator
- industrial electricians
- ironworkers
- landscape horticulturists
- machinist
- motorcycle mechanic
- recreation vehicle service technician
- sheet metal worker
- tile setter
- welder
Canada is facing a huge labour shortage in the skilled trades.
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum estimates that, from 2022 to 2026, over 122,000 new journeypersons will be required to sustain workforce certification across Red Seal trades in Canada. Of these, more than 92,000 journeypersons will be concentrated in the top 15 national in-demand Red Seal trades which include cook, industrial electrician, painter and decorator, and welder.
Also, according to BuildForce Canada, the construction industry needs to recruit 299,200 new workers over the next decade (by 2032), driven predominantly by the expected retirement of 245,100 workers (20 per cent of the 2022 labour force).
However, 76 per cent of Canadians say they would never pursue a skilled trade for themselves, finds a previous 3M Canada report.
Here are some ways employers can find the skilled workers they need in 2023, according to Tradesmen International:
- Leverage your existing network.
- Promote inter-organization communication.
- Incentivize employee referrals.
- Consider providing skills Training for your own team.
