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
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.
Djokovic needs medical attention after getting knocked on the head by a water bottle at Italian Open
Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after apparently getting knocked on the head by a water bottle after a win at the Italian Open on Friday.