Ontario launches new Crown agency for skilled trades
The province has created Skilled Trades Ontario, a new provincial agency to overhaul the apprenticeship program, address the industry's labour shortage, improve training and simplify services.
Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton made the announcement about the new system Tuesday. It will be transitioning away from the Ontario College of Trades and services moved online.
"The new agency will promote and market the trades, develop the latest training and curriculum standards, and provide a streamlined user-friendly experience for tradespeople. These changes will result in more workers for in-demand jobs and prepare Ontario for a strong economic comeback," the ministry said in a news release.
It is a move McNaughton hopes will attract more people to careers in one of the 144 trades in Ontario.
"The skilled trades provide well-paying and rewarding careers that are vital for our economy. By creating this new agency, we are working for workers and delivering the generational change that labour leaders and employers have been calling for," he said.
With the new system, apprentices will be able to submit forms, pay fees and manage class scheduling and examinations online. It is expected to greatly reduce processing times from 60 days to 12.
The province estimates the skilled labour shortage will reach about 350,000 jobs by 2025.
"The skilled trades are the backbone of our province – offering 144 well-paying and in-demand careers for people to choose from,” Skilled Trades Ontario CEO and registrar Melissa Young said in a news release.
Adding the new system "will remove the stigma surrounding the trades, cut down on red tape, and ensure all young people know these jobs offer a clear path to a better life."
Joseph Mancinelli, of Labourers' International Union of North America, applauds the change.
"These welcomed changes will help to ensure that our province continues to respond to growing labour demands while empowering career-building opportunities for a diverse and skilled workforce who remain at the forefront of building and strengthening critical infrastructure that our communities and economy rely on," Mancinelli said.
Skilled Trades Ontario will be governed by an independent board of directors.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.